Parton Nephew Seeks Dismissal of Estate Suit

Bryan Seaver asked a Tennessee judge on Monday to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Dolly Parton's estate. The request follows a complaint from She's Alive LLC, the trust that manages Parton's assets, which named Seaver and his security company, SAPS - Squadron Augmented Protection Services, LLC. The estate alleges that Seaver, who led Parton's security team, made threats and demanded money.

Parton died in August after a brief battle with cancer. Her family released that information publicly. Seaver, who announced the death in a video statement, was named in the suit on Sept. 22. That date was one month after Parton's passing. She and her late husband, Carl Dean, had no children. Dean died last year. Parton's estate includes her music catalog and the Dollywood amusement park.

In his 18-page response, Seaver denied the core claims of the complaint. He stated that he never created a culture of fear. He also denied engaging in outrageous or oppressive conduct. The response argues that the messages cited as threats were not actually threats. It notes that Danny Nozell, an executor on the trust and Parton's longtime manager, reacted to some of those messages with a HaHa.

The document further states that the defendants deny the statements were calculated to threaten anyone. It adds that they deny the messages had or were intended to have a chilling effect on any person. Seaver previously told ABC News that a restraining order filed against him by the estate prevented him from speaking publicly about the case.

The estate sought a temporary restraining order in September. A judge granted it after ruling that Seaver and his company showed a present and continuing disruption and threat to She's Alive. On Oct. 5, the trust filed a court document claiming Seaver tried to avoid service. The filing described a no-trespassing sign in his front yard and barbed wire draped across the handrails leading to his front door.

Parton built a multimillion-dollar estate through her career and business ventures. The legal dispute now centers on the actions of her security chief and his firm following her death. ABC News reached out to Seaver for comment. Parton's estate declined to comment when contacted by ABC News.

The next hearing in the case between She's Alive and Seaver is scheduled for Nov. 10.