The estate of country music singer Dolly Parton is engaged in a legal dispute with Bryan Seaver, the late artist’s nephew and former head of security, with a Tennessee court issuing a restraining order against Seaver and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
Seaver had been responsible for Parton’s security arrangements and announced her death on 25 August through a video at her request. Following her passing, the estate, managed by Parton’s manager Danny Nozell, terminated Seaver’s security contract on 15 September and subsequently filed legal action alleging he made threats against Nozell and other staff members. According to court documents cited in the lawsuit, the threats were characterized as deliberate communications from someone with military contractor experience and claimed weapons access. The complaint noted that several estate employees reported concerns about workplace safety as a result.
The restraining order, issued Wednesday, prohibits Seaver from contacting or coming within 1,000 feet of estate employees, attorneys, and business partners affiliated with She’s Alive, the entity managing Parton’s estate. The order also restricts him from interfering with the estate’s business relationships. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for 7 October. According to court filings and media reports, Seaver made various statements including claims about military contracting work, international arms dealing, and references to a potential podcast campaign. In his defense, Seaver told media outlets that his communications were informal exchanges with someone he considered a friend and that the statements should not be interpreted as threats.
Parton, who died in August, left behind a substantial estate including her music catalog and business ventures such as Dollywood. She had no children and was predeceased by her husband Carl, who died in 2025. Seaver is the son of Parton’s sister Cassie.
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