Escrow is a service that provides a means of security in the handling of important funds and documents. The California Escrow Law, Section 17003 of the Financial Code, provides the legal definition of escrow. An escrow holder works with the Buyers, Sellers, Lenders and Borrowers ("the principals") involved in a transaction to assure funds and documents change hands at the appropriate point in time, after preset conditions have been met.

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After the principals agree upon an escrow holder, the group must provide the holder with a set of written instructions, mutually agreed upon by all parties. The escrow holder then holds onto all important documents and funds until the written conditions are met for dispersal of these items. When all contingencies of the escrow instructions have been met or achieved, the escrow will be closed.