James Van Der Beek made a significant move to ensure security for his wife and children before his passing earlier this month, locking in a down payment on the $4.76 million Texas ranch the family had been living in.
A representative shared that the actor finalized the purchase with help from close friends, who assisted in organizing the payment through a trust.
“James secured down payment for the Texas ranch for the family with the help of friends through a trust so they could shift from rent to mortgage,” the rep told PEOPLE.
The statement comes after online questions surfaced about how the family managed to buy the property while also launching a GoFundMe campaign following his death on February 11 after battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. Those behind the fundraiser explained that the extended medical treatments had placed a heavy financial burden on the family.
The campaign, which raised more than $2 million within days, was set up to help cover everyday living expenses, household costs, and schooling for Van Der Beek’s six children. The page notes that long-term medical care significantly strained their finances, leaving them focused on maintaining stability during a time of loss and adjustment.
Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, relocated their family from California to Texas in 2020 in search of a slower pace and more room for their children. Over the years, he spoke about how transformative the move had been, describing the lifestyle as grounding and saying it helped their family feel more connected to each other and to nature.
Friends who created the fundraiser have stressed that the outpouring of support has meant more than just financial help. In a recent update, they expressed gratitude to donors for standing by the family during what they called an “incredibly difficult time,” noting that the compassion shown has deeply touched them.
