Dolly Parton was nobody's fool. Before her death, the beloved country singer, songwriter, philanthropist and businesswoman planned for how her wide range of assets should be dealt with.
But in the weeks after Parton's Aug. 25 passing, things have become contentious as a family member has tried to threaten, intimidate and coerce his way into money, according to a lawsuit recently filed by a company created to manage Parton's business assets.
News of the suit against Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver, who provided security services for the country singer before her death, has drawn increased interest to the various players involved in the management of Parton's estate. Here's what we know about the structure of organizations managing her businesses,
based on court filings and publicly available information.
How are Dolly Parton's business interests managed after her death?
In 1997, Parton created the D.P. Dean Trust to handle her property and assets after her death.
The trust specified that all her professional property and business interests should be distributed to a separate trust upon her death, called the Dolly Parton Professional Property Trust, court filings state.
The trust is managed by co-trustees, who act in accordance with the directions Parton set out before her death, for the benefit of the trust's beneficiaries. Because trust documents are private, we don't really know what Parton wanted to happen to the assets she put in this trust.
Beneficiaries are typically loved ones and family members, but they may also be other entities, like charities. Court filings say Seaver is a beneficiary, but we don't know what he may stand to get from the trust.
Michael Crowder, an attorney at Knoxville firm Kennerly, Montgomery & Finley P.C., said the trust document determines "whether, when, and under what circumstances a beneficiary is entitled to distributions," and if those distributions are mandatory or left up to the discretion of the trustee or someone else in charge.
The other organization at play is She's Alive LLC. In the D.P. Dean Trust, Parton specified that this LLC should be created after her death to act as trust adviser. While we don't have specifics of what She's Alive's duties as trust adviser are, court filings say it was created to "preserve and advance (Parton's) legacy, her thoughtful messaging, and her philanthropy for future generations." Trust advisers sometimes have powers similar to a trustee, but their powers vary widely based on what is spelled out in trust documents.
Crowder said one reason someone may choose to appoint a trust adviser is to divide responsibilities among "people or institutions with different areas of expertise."
Parton wanted her longtime manager Danny Nozell to act as sole manager of She's Alive LLC. While he's the one running it, She's Alive LLC is clearly a large operation, tasked with handling a wide range of business assets. Court filings say there is a staff of personnel working with She's Alive LLC and that the LLC has office space as well.
Records show Nozell created She's Alive LLC on Sept. 9.
What are the entities managing Parton's business properties?
D.P. Dean Trust
Established in 1997 to manage Parton’s things in case of her death.
Dolly Parton Professional Property Trust
Where Parton’s business interests and other professional property were distributed after her death.
Beneficiaries
The people who receive the benefits of Parton’s trust. Bryan Seaver is among the trust’s beneficiaries, which likely also includes other members of Parton’s family and loved ones.
Co-trustees
These are the people tasked with managing the many assets in Parton’s professional trust.
She’s Alive LLC
The “special purpose entity” created under the terms of the D.P. Dean Trust to act as trust adviser of the Dolly Parton Professional Property Trust. It's meant to "preserve and advance (Parton's) legacy, her thoughtful messaging, and her philanthropy for future generations."
Danny Nozell
Parton’s longtime manager whom the country icon selected to be sole manager of She’s Alive LLC.
Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: A legal battle surrounds Dolly's business trust. Who is managing it?
