NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dolly Parton’s nephew is asking for additional time to secure legal representation as he prepares to fight a temporary restraining order sought by the singer’s estate against him and his security firm.
Bryan Seaver, who is representing himself, filed a motion Friday in a Tennessee court requesting that the hearing scheduled for Oct. 9 be postponed roughly 10 days.
The dispute became public several weeks after Parton died Aug. 25, exposing a serious fracture within the country music icon’s inner circle. She’s Alive, the organization established to oversee and protect Parton’s estate, alleges in a court filing that Seaver threatened violence and sought to damage Parton’s legacy and business interests. The organization is operated by Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager.
The filing identifies Seaver — whom Parton had personally selected to announce her death from cancer — along with his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
In his latest motion, Seaver says “the defendants lack any legal knowledge or skills to proceed in this matter without retained counsel or what, if any, challenges can or should be raised.” He argues that a delay is needed because the attorney he hopes to hire cannot meet with him until Monday. Seaver also says he will not oppose extending the restraining order until the court holds a rescheduled hearing.
Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles, who is presiding over the case, has not ruled on the request. When issuing the restraining order, Myles cited the repeated threats described in the complaint, along with alleged demands for money and Seaver’s “claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate.”
Court filings from She’s Alive accuse Seaver of sending a series of increasingly menacing messages beginning shortly before Parton’s death. The organization ended its relationship with Seaver and SAPS the week before filing the petition, saying his “terrorizing conduct made their continued retention untenable.”
Seaver has not replied to phone calls or emails from The Associated Press requesting comment.
Parton was one of country music’s most celebrated performers, as well as a major philanthropist and cultural figure. She wrote hundreds of songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her work has generated more than 100 million sales worldwide and over 1 billion online streams.
