Dolly Parton Manager Files For Restraining Order Against Late Singer's Nephew Due to Alleged Threats, Intimidation

Published September 22, 2026 3:52 PM PDT

Dolly Parton’s family war is getting ugly ... with her longtime manager filing a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order against the late singer’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, TMZ has learned. 

TMZ obtained court docs filed by Dolly’s manager, Danny Nozell. The manager claims Bryan began "invoking his self-proclaimed military-contractor experience, access to weapons, and capacity for violence" to extort Dolly’s manager into giving in to his demands for money. 

The manager said he was forced to terminate Bryan due to his threatening conduct ... and said he started a campaign of threats, intimidation, and coercion a few weeks before her passing. 

One alleged threat read, "Her money better be bigger than I can make elsewhere or I’m going to f*** everyone. I am about to become the hand of retribution for my entire family."

Another alleged threat sent by Bryan read, "I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnership and telling the violations these people have done on us."

Another alleged message read, "All I do is warfare ... everyone needs to be worried about what I might do."

The manager terminated Bryan on September 15. His lawsuit is asking for Bryan to not interfere with Dolly's business and leave their business partners alone ... and stay 1,000 feet away from the offices.

As TMZ first reported, Dolly’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, was recently kicked off her properties after working as her head of security for years. 

Dolly died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80 ... and Bryan himself announced via her Instagram.