The attorney representing Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, publicly addressed allegations against his client in a new statement.

She’s Alive, LLC (SAL), an entity laid out by Parton to protect her legacy and operated by longtime manager Danny Nozell, filed a lawsuit against Seaver on September 22. The filings allege Seaver “began his campaign of threats, intimidation, and coercion a few weeks prior to Ms. Parton’s passing.” A judge granted a temporary restraining order against Seaver, who was previously fired from his longtime role as Parton’s head of security. Seaver has denied the accusations against him. He told ABC News that “the restraining order is spurious and simply a publicity stunt. …I've never threatened anyone.”

Nick Leonardo, Seaver’s attorney, shared a new statement on Monday (October 12), according to Nashville, Tennessee-based News Channel 5. Leonardo said:

“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. He would have preferred to remain a private person, as this ordeal has taken a toll on his family. This legal dispute arose between Mr. Seaver, a family member who was also in charge of Dolly's private security, and a business manager. While the family was grieving, the business manager went to court and the media with a surprising and incomplete story. Seeing text messages that are misleading and taken out of context has been very hurtful to our client and his family. The restraining order was granted ex parte, without the benefit of the court hearing Mr. Seaver's side of the story, which is coming. While Mr. Seaver and his family work through this, they trust that the bright light of Dolly's legacy remains untouched, and they are eager to amicably and expeditiously resolve this matter.”

Parton “died peacefully” on August 25 in Nashville, according to an official announcement issued at the time. She was 80. Seaver also announced his aunt’s passing with a statement from the family shared on the late legend’s social media accounts. Parton’s representatives said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time, “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.” Parton was laid to rest in a private service for immediate family beside her husband of nearly 60 years, Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. He was 82.

Seaver previously filed a motion for a continuance to delay an October 9 hearing for at least 10 days to allow time to meet with his attorney. The next hearing is set for October 20.

Jon Langston

Coyote Joe's

Friday October 4, 2019