NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dolly Parton’s nephew is asking for additional time to secure an attorney who can defend him and his security company against a temporary restraining order obtained by the singer’s estate.
Bryan Seaver, who is representing himself, filed a motion Friday in a Tennessee court seeking to postpone the hearing, currently scheduled for Oct. 9, by roughly 10 days.
The dispute involving Parton’s inner circle became public weeks after her Aug. 25 death. She’s Alive, the entity established to manage and protect her estate, alleged in a court petition that Seaver threatened violence and sought to damage Parton’s legacy and business empire. The organization is operated by Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell.
The petition identifies Seaver, whom Parton selected to announce her death from cancer, along with his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
In his latest motion, Seaver wrote that “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 said the postponement is needed because the attorney he hopes to hire cannot meet with him until Monday. Seaver also said he would not oppose extending the restraining order until a rescheduled hearing.
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Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles, who is presiding over the case, has not ruled on the request. When issuing the restraining order, Myles cited repeated threats described in the complaint, alleged demands for payment and Seaver’s “claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate.”
Court filings from She’s Alive accuse Seaver of sending increasingly threatening messages beginning shortly before Parton’s death. The organization ended its relationship with Seaver and SAPS the week before filing the petition, stating that 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 a beloved country music superstar, philanthropist and cultural icon. She wrote hundreds of songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” which together helped generate more than 100 million worldwide sales and over 1 billion online streams.
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