The legal battle between Dolly Parton’s estate and her nephew Bryan Seaver has escalated after the late singer’s estate claimed Seaver evaded summons.
After Seaver, 49, was fired in September as Parton’s longtime head of security, he claimed in an October 2 motion that he’s been unable to find a lawyer to represent him, according to legal docs obtained by People.
Seaver alleged in his motion that after he was served a restraining order by She’s Alive — the company Parton set up prior to her August 25 death at 80 to protect her professional property and interests posthumously — last month, he “immediately” started to look for an attorney.
Us previously confirmed that Seaver allegedly described himself as “literally an international arms dealer and mercenary” while allegedly threatening the estate before Parton’s death. (He said his remarks were taken out of context and has denied the allegations.)
Seaver claimed in the October filing that he wasn’t able to meet with his preferred choice of attorney until Monday, October 5, and therefore asked the court to delay his Friday, October 9, hearing so he could better prepare his defense.
She’s Alive is challenging that request in its own motion, asking the court to deny his request. The estate alleged on Monday that Seaver “attempted to evade service of process, and this court should not reward that behavior,” per the docs.
According to She’s Alive, an attempt was made to serve Seaver his summons on three separate occasions, the second of which they saw four cars in the driveway but no one answered the door.
Bryan Seaver. Courtesy of Dolly Parton/Instagram
“Eventually, Mr. Seaver’s residence had a no-trespassing sign in the front yard and barbed wire draped across the handrails leading to the front door,” the filing alleged.
She’s Alive further claimed that Seaver “waited until the last moment to take any action, and the court should not reward that behavior,” in regards to his alleged quest to find representation.
“Moreover… Mr. Seaver already has lawyers who appear to be anxious to represent him,” the estate wrote, noting that an email allegedly sent by Seaver on August 21 — four days before Parton died — claimed he had lawyers ready to fight back against the estate.
Dolly Parton’s younger sister Freida Parton has broken her silence on rumors of a family feud following the legendary singer’s death. “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,” Freida, 69, clarified via Instagram on Wednesday, September 23. Her […]
The alleged email from Seaver read, “If you think my harsh language is too much for you or your failing vendors to digest, just wait until my lawyers start f***ing you up the ass. I challenge you to bring spurious and feeble complaints. Let’s play ball you f***ing s***bag loser. Why is your side of this project continually f*** up and behind the curve?”
“I’ve never threatened anyone,” Seaver told ABC News in a statement in response to the alleged email threats. “They are my friends and my brothers and colleagues.”
Seaver also called the restraining order a “publicity stunt,” claiming his comments were taken out of context from a conversation with Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell, who operates She’s Alive.
She’s Alive, meanwhile, is asking that the court extend the temporary restraining order against Seaver through the hearing date.
Us has reached out to Parton’s estate and Seaver for comment.
