Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, is pushing back against the legal case surrounding his late aunt’s estate, with his attorneys saying the dispute has placed added strain on a grieving family.
Seaver’s lawyers, Dominic J. Leonardo and James L. Collier, defended their client after allegations involving Dolly Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, and She’s Alive, LLC, the company managing the country icon’s business interests.
The attorneys say Seaver never sought the spotlight and argue that the private messages used against him were presented without full context.
Their response adds a new chapter to a dispute that has included Seaver’s firing, a temporary restraining order and a delayed court hearing.
Dolly Parton’s Nephew Says Legal Fight Has Hurt His Family
Bryan Seaver’s attorneys told Page Six that he had always been a private person before Dolly Parton entrusted him with announcing her death.
“Mr. Seaver has always been a private person, but he was chosen by his aunt, with his family’s approval, to make the announcement about Dolly’s passing,” they said.
The lawyers added that Seaver “would have preferred to remain a private person,” claiming the ordeal “has taken a toll on his family.”
Their statement also accused Parton’s business manager of taking the dispute to court and the media while the family was mourning.
According to the attorneys, the release of private communications has been painful because they believe the exchanges are “misleading and taken out of context.”
Parton died on August 25 at age 80 following a battle with cancer. Seaver was the person she selected to announce her death in a prerecorded video.
Bryan Seaver’s Lawyers Say His ‘Side Of The Story’ Is Coming
The latest statement also challenges how the court proceedings have unfolded.
Seaver’s legal team noted that the court initially granted the restraining order ex parte, meaning it issued it before hearing his response.
They stressed that Seaver’s “side of the story” is still coming and said the family hopes to resolve the dispute “amicably and expeditiously” without damaging Parton’s legacy.
Seaver has previously denied threatening anyone. As The Blast reported, he characterized some communications as private “rage talk” that had been misconstrued.
He also disputed one reference to himself as a “killer,” claiming Parton jokingly called him “her killer” and “baby boy ninja” because of his security role.
Dolly Parton’s Estate Secured A Temporary Restraining Order
The allegations against Seaver remain serious. She’s Alive, LLC sought court protection after accusing him of making threats, interfering with business relationships and pairing intimidating statements with demands for payment.
Rolling Stone reported that Nashville Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles granted a temporary restraining order directing Seaver to stay at least 1,000 feet away from certain estate employees and business partners, remain off private estate property and avoid disruptive or harassing conduct.
The dispute followed Seaver’s dismissal as head of security, a position he held for more than two decades after taking over the role from his father.
Court filings also included messages in which Seaver allegedly referenced his military-contracting background, weapons and his ability to retaliate against people he believed had betrayed the family.
Seaver has denied that the messages amounted to genuine threats.
More From The Blast
Court Fight Took Another Strange Turn Before October Hearing
The case became more unusual when She’s Alive accused Bryan Seaver of trying to avoid being served with legal papers.
According to PEOPLE, the company alleged that attempts to serve him failed and that barbed wire, caution tape and “No Trespassing” signs appeared around his Tennessee home.
Seaver requested more time before a scheduled hearing, saying he struggled to find an attorney because of potential conflicts involving local lawyers.
The judge granted the delay, moving the hearing to October 20.
The company opposed his request and questioned whether he had genuinely been trying to secure representation.
Seaver has rejected the allegations and previously called the restraining-order effort a publicity stunt.
Dolly Parton’s Family Rejects Claims Of An Internal Feud
Despite the courtroom battle, Dolly Parton’s family has pushed back against suggestions that her relatives are fighting among themselves over her estate.
Her sister Freida Parton publicly insisted, “there is no feud within our family,” adding that no one in the Parton/Owens family was battling over the singer’s estate.
“We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other,” she wrote.
Freida’s clarification is meaningful as Seaver’s dispte is with the business entity managing Dolly Parton’s professional interests, rather than an openly declared fight among the late singer’s relatives.
As The Blast previously reported, Seaver said Parton’s family and the team she entrusted with her legacy would work to ensure her spirit lived on.
Now, his attorneys are invoking that same legacy, saying the family wants the “bright light of Dolly’s legacy” to remain untouched while the dispute is resolved.
