The family drama swirling around Dolly Parton's $450 million estate is only getting messier. She's Alive LLC — the entity set up by longtime manager Danny Nozell to protect Parton's legacy after her August 25 death — has accused her nephew and former 20-year head of security, Bryan Seaver, of running an "escalating campaign of threats" and demanding payment, warning he'd "ruin" her brand partnerships otherwise.

A Nashville judge granted a temporary restraining order after finding Seaver had "repeatedly invoked his claimed access to weapons, experience with violence, and intention to retaliate," ordering him to stay 1,000 feet from estate staff and properties. Seaver — who was the family member Parton chose to announce her death on camera — is representing himself and has called the suit a "publicity stunt," telling ABC News he's "never threatened anyone." He's since asked the court to push back the restraining-order hearing, originally set for Oct. 9, to buy time to hire a lawyer, a request still pending as of this week.

Parton's sister Freida has publicly denied any "family feud," insisting "we all love Bryan," even as the legal fight plays out in open court.