Entertainment · Celebrity · 24 mins ago
Dolly Parton’s Estate Drops Lawsuit Against Nephew
Dolly Parton’s estate has dropped its lawsuit against her nephew Bryan Seaver in Nashville.
The case began in September, after the estate accused Seaver of making threats and trying to extort money following Parton’s death.
Seaver denied the allegations, saying his messages were taken out of context and that a payment demand concerned unpaid security work.
The dispute involved She’s Alive LLC, which manages Parton’s affairs after her death and oversees businesses including Dollywood.
The claims were dismissed without prejudice, so they could be filed again in the future.
A hearing scheduled for Tuesday on restrictions against Seaver has been canceled, and the parties have not said whether they reached a settlement.
Dolly Parton’s estate has moved to dismiss its complaint against her nephew Bryan Seaver without prejudice, leaving open the possibility of filing it again.
The complaint accused Seaver, a former head of security for Parton, of threatening the estate and its employees.
Seaver denied threatening anyone associated with the estate and said messages cited as evidence were taken out of context.
The dismissal filing gave no reason, and the parties have not publicly confirmed whether they reached a settlement.
A hearing on the estate’s request for a permanent injunction had been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Nashville, but the proceeding was canceled.
- Who
- Dolly Parton’s estate, represented by longtime manager Danny Nozell, and Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver.
- What
- The estate moved to dismiss its complaint against Seaver without prejudice. The complaint accused him of threatening the estate and its employees.
- When
- The dismissal filing was made Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026.
- Where
- A Tennessee court. The planned hearing was to take place in Nashville.
- Why
- Not stated. The filing gave no reason for withdrawing the complaint.
Dolly Parton’s estate
Bryan Seaver
Alleged conduct
Dolly Parton’s estate
The estate accused Seaver of making threats against its personnel, counsel and business partners.
Bryan Seaver
Seaver denied threatening anyone associated with the estate.
Text messages
Dolly Parton’s estate
The estate cited messages as evidence of threats, including a vow to “destroy the entire brand.
Bryan Seaver
Seaver said the messages were a private, frustrated exchange between friends and had been taken out of context.
Legal action
Dolly Parton’s estate
The estate sought an injunction to stop Seaver from interfering with its business.
Bryan Seaver
Seaver opposed the allegations; the complaint has now been dismissed without prejudice.
Dolly Parton died, according to the reports.
She’s Alive terminated Seaver and his security company, according to Hindustan Times.
She’s Alive obtained a temporary restraining order against Seaver and his security company.
A court filing said the two sides had reached an agreement but gave no details.
The estate filed to dismiss its complaint without prejudice.
A hearing on the injunction request had been scheduled in Nashville, but the proceeding was canceled.
- Defendant
- Bryan Seaver, Parton’s nephew and former head of security
- Estate entity
- She’s Alive
- Manager
- Danny Nozell
- Dismissal
- Without prejudice
- Restraining order
- Granted in September
- Hearing
- Scheduled for Nov. 10 in Nashville
6 sources
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What people are saying
I have never threatened physical harm to Mr. Nozell, to any SAL employee, contractor, attorney, advisor, or business partner, or to anyone else associated with SAL
I have no intention of doing so.
turned a private, profane and ultimately friendly exchange between two longtime friends into a claim of terror
terrorizing conduct made their continued retention untenable