Before he closed on a sprawling Hill Country ranch in Texas, James Van Der Beek and his wife were quietly wrestling with a sizable debt to the federal government.
The former “Dawson’s Creek” star and Kimberly Van Der Beek were hit with a federal tax lien in November 2021 tied to unpaid taxes from prior years.
According to IRS records cited by TMZ, the couple owed $95,438.31 for 2017 and $173,890.31 for 2019, bringing the total to $269,328.62. The balance was later satisfied, and the lien was released in April 2022.
The financial strain came years before Van Der Beek’s death on Feb. 11 at age 48, following a two-year battle with colorectal cancer.
In the months leading up to his passing, the actor made a significant move: purchasing the 36-acre Texas property his family had been leasing since relocating from Los Angeles in 2020.
Property records reviewed by Realtor.com show the estate traded for $4.76 million in an off-market deal on Jan. 9. The purchase was made through an LLC managed by a California attorney. The ranch, located in Spicewood, includes a main residence, multiple guest cabins, a pool and river views.
The Post could not independently confirm the current ownership via property records.
A representative told People magazine that “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 family’s move to Texas followed an emotionally difficult stretch. Van Der Beek lost his mother, Melinda Weber, in July 2020. Kimberly also endured five miscarriages. The couple, who married in 2010, share six children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
In a 2021 interview with Austin Life, Van Der Beek explained the motivation behind the relocation.
“We wanted to give the children space and we wanted them to live in nature,” he said. Of the area itself, he added, “It’s a magical place. There’s an energy that transcends any one religion or ideology.”
He also described Texas as “different” and a “hands-on way of life.”
As medical expenses mounted following his 2024 diagnosis of stage 3 colorectal cancer, Van Der Beek turned to memorabilia from his acting career to help cover treatment costs.
He auctioned off items tied to “Dawson’s Creek” and also sold “Varsity Blues” merchandise, saying the treatments were “expensive” and citing the “unexpected twists and turns” in his life.
After his death, a GoFundMe page was created to support Kimberly and their children. The fundraiser’s description reads: “In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future.”
It continues, “The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.”
The message adds: “The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead. Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to support them.”
As of Monday, the campaign had raised more than $2.6 million.
Van Der Beek rose to fame in the late 1990s as Dawson Leery on the WB drama “Dawson’s Creek,” which aired from 1998 to 2003 and helped launch the careers of Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams and Joshua Jackson.
