Real Estate · Legal escrow
Legal escrow and closing services
Escrow keeps money and documents with a neutral party until the conditions of your transaction are met. We explain each step so you know what happens, and when.
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When you need legal escrow
Any time one side should not hand over money or documents until the other side delivers.
Buying or selling a home
Earnest money and closing funds are held until inspections, title and financing conditions are met.
A commercial closing
Multiple parties, larger sums and more conditions to track.
Repairs or construction
Funds held back until agreed work is completed.
Selling or buying a business
Part of the price held until closing conditions are satisfied.
What we handle
We act as escrow agent for our own clients’ transactions under a written escrow agreement. We do not issue title insurance or act as a title agent.
Closing and earnest-money escrow
Deposits and closing funds held and released under the contract.
Repair and completion holdbacks
Funds retained until repairs or punch-list items are finished.
Construction-draw escrow
Payments released in stages as construction milestones are met.
Business-sale escrow
Deposits or holdbacks tied to the terms of a purchase agreement.
How it works
Typical steps. Your escrow agreement sets the conditions and timing: most closing escrows last about 30–60 days.
- STEP 1
Open escrow
An escrow agreement states the conditions and who holds what.
- STEP 2
Deposit
Funds and documents are delivered to escrow.
- STEP 3
Conditions are met
Inspections, title, financing or approvals are completed.
- STEP 4
Release and close
Funds and documents are released as the agreement provides.
How we charge
We work on a flat-fee basis and quote the fee in writing before work begins, so you know the cost up front. Fees are explained before escrow is opened, and shown on the closing statement.
Common questions
General information, not legal advice for your situation.
What is legal escrow?
A neutral party holds money and documents until the conditions of a transaction are met, then releases them as the agreement provides.
Where is the money held?
In a separate client trust account at a bank, apart from the firm’s own money. Funds are released only as the signed escrow agreement directs.
How long does escrow last?
It depends on the transaction. Your escrow agreement states the conditions and the timing.
Can escrow be used when selling a business?
Yes. Escrow commonly holds a deposit or part of the price until closing conditions are satisfied.
Related services
Escrow often goes together with these.
Questions about escrow?
Schedule a consultation and we will walk through your transaction and fees.