Fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta have become increasingly curious about Kelli Potter’s personal life, especially after her appearance on the Bravo series. Before returning to her maiden name, Kelli was known as Kelli Ferrell, having been married to restaurateur Chuvalo “Mark” Ferrell.
Mark Ferrell is best known as a businessman connected to the restaurant industry. During their marriage, the couple built both a family and business ventures together, making them one of Atlanta’s well-known entrepreneurial pairs. However, their relationship eventually unraveled, leading to a highly publicized divorce and a series of legal disputes that continue to make headlines.
As Kelli’s television profile has grown, public interest in her former marriage has also increased, with many viewers wanting to understand the circumstances behind their separation.
An 11-Year Marriage
Kelli Potter and Mark Ferrell were married for approximately 11 years before officially ending their marriage in 2024. Throughout those years, they balanced family responsibilities while pursuing restaurant and hospitality ventures.
The marriage appeared to revolve around shared ambitions as well as raising their children. While much of their private life remained outside the spotlight for years, court filings and later public reports revealed that the relationship had become increasingly strained before the divorce was finalized.
Their split marked the end of more than a decade together and opened the door to several legal disagreements involving finances, custody, and business ownership.
A Family of Four Daughters
One of the most important parts of Kelli Potter’s life is her role as a mother.
Kelli and Mark share three daughters together:
- Chance
- Chasiti
- Chelsi
In addition, Kelli has an older daughter, Chloe, from a previous relationship. Together, the children have remained at the center of the family’s post-divorce legal matters.
While Kelli frequently speaks about motherhood and balancing family with her professional life, the custody arrangements following the divorce have become one of the most closely watched aspects of the former couple’s ongoing legal conflict.
Why Kelli Changed Her Name
After her divorce became official in 2024, Kelli made a symbolic personal decision by returning to her maiden name.
She changed her surname from Ferrell back to Potter, a move that reflected the beginning of a new chapter in both her personal and professional life.
Since joining The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Bravo has introduced her as Kelli Potter, helping viewers become familiar with her current identity rather than the surname she used during her marriage.
Custody Disputes Continue
Although the divorce itself has been finalized, disagreements between Kelli Potter and Mark Ferrell have continued through the court system.
Mark filed legal claims alleging that Kelli prevented him from exercising visitation rights with their three daughters following the divorce. The allegations have added another layer of complexity to an already difficult separation.
As with many family court matters, the legal proceedings focus on parenting arrangements and visitation. Public filings represent allegations made by the parties, and the courts ultimately determine how such disputes are resolved.
The continuing custody disagreements have remained one of the most talked-about developments surrounding the former couple.
Business Conflict After Divorce
Beyond family matters, Kelli and Mark have also faced significant disagreements involving their business interests.
The former spouses were connected through Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles, a restaurant business that became part of their legal disputes after the marriage ended. Questions regarding financial responsibilities, ownership interests, and obligations tied to the business have resulted in multiple court proceedings.
Business disagreements following divorce are not uncommon when former spouses have jointly operated companies, and the Ferrell-Potter case has drawn attention because both personal and financial issues became intertwined.
Financial Legal Battle in 2026
One of the biggest developments came in July 2026 when creditors sought to collect a $217,000 default judgment connected to a joint marital business loan.
According to reports, creditors targeted Kelli Potter’s bank accounts as part of collection efforts related to the outstanding judgment.
Kelli has argued that Mark Ferrell should be responsible for the debt, maintaining that the financial obligation should not rest solely on her. The dispute remains part of the broader legal conflict between the former spouses.
The case has attracted attention because it combines divorce-related financial issues with business liabilities, creating a complicated legal situation that extends well beyond the end of the marriage.
Kelli Potter’s Life After the Divorce
Since the separation, Kelli Potter has focused on rebuilding her public identity and expanding her career. Her appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta has introduced her to a wider audience, allowing viewers to see her balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and life after divorce.
Returning to her maiden name has become part of that fresh start, while her television appearances have highlighted both the opportunities and challenges she faces.
Although legal matters involving her former husband continue, Kelli has remained active in business and entertainment, becoming one of the franchise’s most discussed personalities.
What Fans Should Know
Kelli Potter’s former marriage to restaurateur Chuvalo “Mark” Ferrell continues to attract public attention because the story extends beyond a typical celebrity divorce. After spending 11 years together and raising three daughters, the former couple now finds themselves involved in ongoing custody disagreements and financial litigation tied to their shared restaurant business.
While Kelli has moved forward under her maiden name and embraced a new chapter through The Real Housewives of Atlanta, unresolved legal matters involving parenting arrangements and business-related debt remain active topics of discussion. As new court developments emerge, both Kelli Potter and Mark Ferrell continue to draw interest from Bravo viewers and entertainment followers alike.
