It looks like Phaedra Parks is dusting off her law degree and putting it to good use. The Real Housewives of Atlanta star has been hired by her co-star, Kelli Ferrell. They’re gearing up to take on Kelli’s ex-husband, Chuvalo “Mark” Ferrell, in court.
Although the two recently finalized their divorce, Kelli claims he’s been interfering with filming. Now, she’s counting on the longtime attorney and RHOA star to help get things back in order.
Phaedra Parks will represent Kelli Ferrell in her court battle against ex-husband Mark Chuvalo Ferrell
According to court documents reviewed by Us Weekly, Kelli and Phaedra filed an emergency petition earlier this month. According to Kelli, she has primary custody of her three minor kids with Mark. She said she has the authority to put them on the show, should she choose.
However, Marc made some big legal threats against Kelli and Bravo earlier this year. He did a whole press conference where he detailed his plans to sue the network for villainizing him on Season 16. One of the complaints on his list was that his kids appeared on the show without his permission.
With that in mind, Kelli told the courts that RHOA producers don’t want to film with her family without “judicial clarification.” It’s a move that could ultimately end up costing Kelli her peach, so she’s asking the court to clarify her custodial rights.
“As a mother, my children are a significant portion of my storyline. As such, I consented to their participation in The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 17,” Kelli wrote in the court docs. “I believe participating is in my children’s best interest.”
With Phaedra in her corner, Kelli is hoping that the court will give Bravo the proof that they need to resume filming family scenes. In the meantime, Mark’s lawyers are slamming Kelli and Phaedra’s filing, calling it “procedurally improper and legally unfounded under Georgia law.”
“Georgia law strictly prohibits using emergency motions to rewrite final custody terms without a proper petition and proof of a material change in circumstances. What’s most troubling is the timing and intent,” Mark’s lawyer said in a statement.
A few days later, Kelli and Phaedra amended their petition, removing the request for an emergency hearing. However, they still plan on moving forward with this case. The exes are due in court on November 7.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta is streaming on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PHAEDRA REPRESENTING KELLI IN THIS LEGAL BATTLE? DO YOU THINK THEY’LL PREVAIL AGAINST MARK?
