Bryan Seaver, Dolly Parton’s nephew and former head of security, allegedly strung barbed wire across his home’s entrance to dodge being served in the estate’s lawsuit against him.
Seaver, who is the son of Parton’s sister Cassie Parton, took over the security role previously held by his father, Larry Seaver. The 80-year-old “9 to 5” singer died on Aug. 25 after a secret battle with cancer, and Bryan Seaver was the family member who publicly announced her passing.
Court documents describe the scene at Seaver’s Tennessee property on Sept. 26, when a process server attempted to deliver papers. Yellow caution tape surrounded the front steps, and barbed wire was draped across the handrails leading to the front door. “No trespassing” signs had been posted on the lawn and by the front door, according to the server’s sworn account. The filing included photographs of these measures, which the server noted had not been present on Sept. 24 or 25.
She’s Alive, LLC, Parton’s management company, cited Seaver’s evasion tactics in court on Friday while opposing his request to postpone an Oct. 9 hearing. Seaver had claimed he needed the delay to secure legal counsel, stating he could not meet with his preferred attorney until Oct. 5.
The estate’s filing pushed back hard on that timeline. “He waited until the last moment to take any action, and the court should not reward that behavior,” the documents stated. The company also noted that Seaver “already has lawyers who appear to be anxious to represent him,” pointing to an expletive-laced email Seaver sent on Aug. 21, four days before Parton’s death.
In that message, Seaver wrote that he and his attorneys were ready to “play ball” and warned, “Just wait until my lawyers start f–king you up the ass.”
News broke on Sept. 22 that Seaver had been fired from his position as head of security. That same day, he released a statement addressing what he called “unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions,” He wrote that he and his security team “refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions [they] believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much.”
Also on Sept. 22, Parton’s longtime manager Donny Nozell requested a restraining order against Seaver. Nozell claimed Seaver had tried to extort money from him and had threatened him.
She’s Alive, LLC, filed its own lawsuit alleging Seaver sent threatening messages that intimidated staffers, caused many to flee the office, and led employees to hire private security for their protection. Seaver has denied all allegations against him.
The legal conflict erupted in the weeks surrounding Parton’s death. Seaver’s Aug. 21 email, with its aggressive tone and profanity, preceded his firing by roughly a month. His Sept. 22 statement framed the dispute as a betrayal of Parton’s generous spirit, while the estate’s court filings portray him as deliberately obstructive and already lawyered up despite his claims of needing more time.
A judge granted Seaver’s request for a delay, pushing the hearing to Oct. 20. The ruling came even as the estate presented evidence of what it characterized as elaborate attempts to avoid service.
Seaver’s use of barbed wire and caution tape represents an unusually physical barrier in a legal fight that has already spilled into threats, restraining orders, and public statements from both sides. The photographs filed with the court document a transformation of his property over just two days, from accessible on Sept. 25 to fortified by Sept. 26.
The estate has given no indication it intends to drop its claims, and Seaver continues to deny wrongdoing while seeking to assemble his defense team.
The rescheduled hearing is set for Oct. 20.