What
about Cancellations?
No escrow is opened with the intention
that it will cancel, but there are occasions when a contingency
cannot be met or when the parties disagree during the period that
the escrow is open. Some escrow holders provide for such an event
by incorporating instructions in the typed or printed General Provisions.
Ordinarily, an escrow holder will take
the position that no funds on deposit can be refunded until the
escrow holder is in receipt of mutual cancellation instructions
signed by the principals. The escrow holder cannot normally make
a determination as to who is the "rightful" party in a
dispute on a cancellation, and therefore, will not return the funds
or documents until the principals agree; the escrow holder is not
a judge.
Do expect to be charged a cancellation
fee, as this is a charge for professional services rendered and
quite often, for several "out of pocket" expenses that
have been incurred on the client's behalf. These fees can vary from
company to company depending upon their policies.
Sometimes, when a dispute occurs, the
escrow holder may be forced to allow a court to decide which party
is entitled to what documents or funds; this is called an Interpleader
Action. Fortunately, most disputes are resolved before the interpleader
is filed, as the cost for such legal actions may be extreme. These
costs, incidentally, are normally paid from the funds held on deposit
in the escrow.
|