Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver is challenging allegations made against him in an escalating legal dispute involving the late country music icon’s business interests. Through his attorneys, the 49-year-old has described the claims as “misleading” and taken out of context, promising that his side of the story will soon be heard in court.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Monday, October 12, Seaver disputed the account presented in court filings and said the controversy had taken a painful toll on his family. A hearing in the case, initially scheduled for October 9, has been postponed until October 20 to give him additional time to secure legal representation.

Seaver’s Attorneys Say the Allegations Present an Incomplete Picture

The statement, prepared by attorneys Dominic J. Leonardo and James L. Collier, emphasized that Seaver had generally maintained a private life before becoming involved in the dispute surrounding his aunt’s estate.

“Mr. Seaver has always been a private person, but he was chosen by his aunt, with his family’s approval, to make the announcement about Dolly’s passing,” his attorneys said. They added that he would have preferred to remain out of the public eye, particularly given the impact of the situation on his family.

According to the legal team, the conflict centers on a disagreement between Seaver and a business manager identified in court documents as Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager.

His attorneys argued that the allegations were made public while the family was grieving and that the presentation of text messages had left out important context. They maintained that the material had caused significant distress to Seaver and his relatives.

The statement also challenged the circumstances under which the restraining order was issued. According to his attorneys, the order was granted ex parte, meaning it was issued without first hearing Seaver’s side of the case.

“The restraining order was granted ‘ex parte’ without the benefit of the court hearing Mr. Seaver’s side of the story, which is coming,” the attorneys stated.

They added that Seaver and his family remained united as they worked through the legal proceedings. Their priority, they said, was to resolve the matter amicably and as quickly as possible while preserving Parton’s legacy.

Dispute Follows Seaver’s Departure as Parton’s Head of Security

The legal battle began after Seaver was dismissed from his position as Parton’s head of security in September, following more than 20 years in the role.

Shortly afterward, She’s Alive, LLC, sued him. Parton had established the company before her death to safeguard her professional property and business interests, and Nozell operates the business.

In late September, She’s Alive obtained a restraining order against Seaver. The company alleged in court that he had made what it described as “chilling” threats, which it claimed contributed to multiple employees resigning.

Court documents obtained by PEOPLE further alleged that Seaver attempted to extort the company and threatened to “destroy” Parton’s brand partnerships. The filings reportedly included text messages and email exchanges between Seaver and members of the singer’s business team, including Nozell and her attorneys.

Nozell’s legal representatives did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Seaver has previously disputed the interpretation of his communications. In a statement to ABC News, he accused Nozell of taking his remarks out of context, particularly his use of the word “killer” in written messages.

Seaver explained that the term was an inside joke, claiming that Parton had used the nickname for him and that Nozell had done so as well. His earlier response similarly rejected the suggestion that he had threatened anyone.

Court Hearing Rescheduled for October 20

The case had been scheduled for a hearing on October 9. However, the court granted a delay after Seaver requested additional time to find an attorney. The hearing is now set for October 20, when the dispute is expected to move forward.

As both sides prepare for the next court date, Seaver’s attorneys have reiterated their client’s position that the allegations do not tell the complete story. They also expressed confidence that the legal process would give him an opportunity to respond.

For now, the competing accounts remain part of an ongoing legal dispute, with the allegations against Seaver yet to be resolved through the proceedings described in the report.

The family, meanwhile, has emphasized its hope that the controversy will not overshadow Parton’s legacy following her death on August 25.

Source: Compiled from various sources