Dolly Parton’s sister has denied there is a feud within the family after a temporary restraining order was granted against the late country star’s nephew.
Freida Parton spoke out on social media after a Tennessee judge granted the order against Bryan Seaver and his private security company amid a legal dispute over the management of Parton’s business interests.
“I’ll say this and this only: there is no feud within our family,” Freida wrote.
“No one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly’s estate.”
She added: “We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other.”
Dolly Parton (r) with sisters Frieda and Stella
Seaver, the son of Parton’s sister Cassie, had provided security for the singer and her properties for a number of years and was personally chosen by his aunt to announce her death last month.
The temporary restraining order was granted on Wednesday after She’s Alive, the organisation established to manage and protect Parton’s estate, filed a complaint against Seaver and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
Court filings accuse Seaver of making threats of violence and threatening to damage Parton’s legacy and business interests.
The organisation is run by Parton’s long-time manager Danny Nozell.
According to the Associated Press, the court said it had considered repeated alleged threats and demands for payment, along with Seaver’s claimed access to weapons and experience with violence, in granting the order.
Seaver and his company have been ordered to stay away from She’s Alive properties and not to contact or come within 1,000 feet of its employees, lawyers and business partners.
The order also prevents him from interfering with the organisation’s business relationships.
A further hearing has been scheduled for 7 October.
Seaver has denied making threats and has said comments contained in the court filings were taken out of context.
He previously described the application for a restraining order as “spurious” and a “publicity stunt”.
Court documents allege that a series of messages sent by Seaver in the weeks around Parton’s death caused some employees to resign and led She’s Alive to arrange additional private security.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told the Associated Press that there were no reports against Seaver in its system.
Seaver and his security company were removed from their roles at Parton’s properties earlier this month.
Parton died on 25 August at the age of 80.
One of country music’s best-known and most successful stars, she was behind songs including Jolene, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You, as well as a substantial business and philanthropic legacy.