What’s Going on With Dolly Parton’s Estate?

It’s only been a month since Dolly Parton’s death following a brief battle with cancer, and both the nation and the world mourned her passing. Parton touched us all with her upbeat spirit, her personality, and her songs. Tributes poured in from Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, the governor of Tennessee, and even former president Barack Obama. “It’s hard to imagine many people having a bigger impact than Dolly Parton,” Obama wrote. Her legacy lives on: September 25 is being celebrated as Dolly Parton 9 to 5 Day in her honor, and Kacey Musgraves is set to perform a tribute to Parton this Sunday at the 43rd annual MTV Video Music Awards. But amid these celebrations, family drama has come to the forefront thanks to a rift with Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, who is a self-proclaimed “international arms dealer” and “mercenary.” He has now been banned from Parton property, and a restraining order and a lawsuit have been filed. Things in the Smokies seem to be unraveling.

What’s going on with Parton’s Estate?

When Parton’s death was announced on her official Instagram account by her nephew Bryan Seaver, the son of Parton’s younger sister Cassie, he appeared to be a reliable spokesperson for the late star and her legacy. 

“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now,” Seaver said in the video. “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly … My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, and so have you.” Prior to Parton’s death, she employed Seaver to provide security services to her and her properties through his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.

What happened in the next month to cause Parton’s estate to file a restraining order against Seaver?

While the family appeared to be putting on a united front, behind the scenes, things were far from harmonious. Employees were afraid to come to work and some were allegedly quitting, according to Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, who oversees her She’s Alive corporation, which was established to protect her property and business interests after her death. Nozell claimed that after Parton’s death, Seaver sent threatening text messages to Parton’s staff, partners, and legal and business advisers, causing them to feel unsafe, according to a complaint filed in Chancery Court in Tennessee on September 22. 

Court documents allege that while Seaver provided security services to Parton during her lifetime, he had also created his own “paramilitary-style” security force company called Called Squadron Augment Protection Services (SAPS) with personnel who were heavily armed and “had ready access to an arsenal of military-grade weaponry and ammunition.” 

What kind of threats was Seaver allegedly sending?

The lawsuit claims Seaver threatened to take down Parton’s brand unless his demands were met. He allegedly sent threatening text messages, screenshots of which were attached to the court papers.“I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships and telling the violations these people have done,” one screenshot reads. “It’s going to be great. Or fucking pay me. I don’t have the fucking publishing or anything. I have the actual story.” 

Seaver reportedly sent a text message to Nozell threatening to “destroy the entire brand.” 

“If you don’t get these [Dollywood business partners] out of our bit … I’m going to go to Billboard Magazine with my shit. Just like you,” a screenshot of the purported text reads. “I’m going to ratfuck every [Dollywood business partner] entity that I can possibly conjure.” 

Attorneys for Parton’s estate in their court filing said Seaver’s threatening statements included claiming that he was “a mercenary,” that “all I do is warfare,” and that  “everyone needs to be worried about what I might do.” Seaver also allegedly professed to be an international arms dealer, telling Novell in one text, “I’m a killer. I sold 27 million $ worth of ammunition and arms to the Haitian Police on the day Dolly died,” according to a screenshot of the supposed text. 

“I am vengeance for my people for the next 50 years. I have no debt. I only own swords and guns. My children have 3 houses to live in forever. My wife owns everything. All I have is animosity and memory,” the screenshot goes on. “But I’m going to spend the time I have on earth ratfucking anyone that has ever betrayed my family.” 

How have Parton’s other family members responded?

Seaver has not responded to a request for comment, but his aunt Freida, a younger sister of Parton’s, said in an Instagram post that there was no family beef, defending Seaver.

“I’ll say this and this only: there is no feud within our family. No one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly’s estate. We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other.” 

Parton’s younger sister Stella told Gayle King on CBS Mornings that the star was working till the end of her life trying to write songs for her upcoming 9 to 5 musical.

“I know she is in a better place,” Stella said. “She loved life, but she loved productivity and she loved having fun. She loved people better than anybody I’ve ever known, besides maybe my dad.” 

What’s next in the lawsuit?

The judge overseeing the case set a court date for October 7 at 11 a.m. to determine whether a temporary injunction should be issued against Seaver and Squadron Augmented Protection Services. Seaver will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him. 

What do we know about the state of the estate?

Derek Crownover at Loeb & Loeb, an attorney representing Dolly’s estate who ordered Seaver to stay off the property and terminated his security services, also informed Seaver that the lawsuit has no impact on his interest in the star’s trust. 

“The co-trustees will be in contact with you (and the other beneficiaries) in the near future regarding your interest as a beneficiary of the Trust,” the letter stated.