Kelli Ferrell’s ongoing legal battle with her ex-husband has taken a dramatic turn just days before the holidays.
Mark Ferrell was taken into custody after a judge ruled he was in contempt of court for failing to meet child support obligations, according to court documents. The hearing, held Dec. 22, centered on unpaid support owed to Ferrell, a star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, who shares three children with her former spouse.
The judge determined that Mark was nearly $62,000 behind and ruled that the lapse in payments was willful. He was ordered jailed until he pays $31,000 toward the balance. Once released, he must continue monthly child support payments of $3,991 and pay an additional $1,000 each month until the remaining debt is settled.
The ruling comes months after Kelli retained fellow Housewife Phaedra Parks as her attorney.
Mark’s representative disputed the court’s decision, saying their client had access to funds. “He has identified and offered immediate access to $74,000 in escrowed funds from the sale of his home to satisfy the obligation in full,” the spokesperson said via Us Weekly. “He has never refused to pay child support.”
The rep also claimed partial payments were rejected. “On two separate occasions, Mr. Ferrell submitted payments in good faith,” the statement continued, alleging they were returned because the full amount was not paid at once.
“Today, a father sits in jail not because he refused to support his children,” the rep said, “but because the path to payment was blocked.”