ORS 696.581
Written escrow instructions or agreement required

  • statement
  • instructions containing blank prohibited
  • one-sided escrow
  • exceptions

(1)

An escrow agent may not accept funds, property or documents in any escrow transaction without dated, written escrow instructions from the principals to the transaction or a dated executed agreement in writing between the principals to the transaction.

(2)

Except as provided in this section, an escrow agent must follow dated, written escrow instructions executed by the principals or a dated executed written agreement between the principals to a transaction.

(3)

Except as provided in ORS 314.258 (Withholding in certain conveyances of real estate), an escrow agent may not close an escrow or disburse any funds or property in an escrow without obtaining dated, separate escrow instructions in writing from the principals to the transaction adequate to administer and close the transaction or, in the case of disbursement, to disburse the funds and property.

(4)

The following statement or its substantial equivalent shall appear on or be attached to all written escrow instructions prepared by an escrow agent for signature of the principals to a transaction. The statement shall be in at least 10-point bold type. The statement shall either appear immediately above the signatures of the principals or be separately initialed by the principals:

It is understood by the parties signing the above or attached instructions that the instructions are the complete instructions between this firm as an escrow agent and you as a principal to the escrow transaction. These instructions may not include all the terms of the agreement which is the subject of this escrow. Read these instructions carefully, and do not sign them unless they are acceptable to you.

(5)

An escrow agent may not solicit or accept any original, amended or supplemental escrow instructions containing any blank to be filled in after signing. An escrow agent may not allow any alteration of original, amended or supplemental escrow instructions, unless the alteration is signed or initialed by all principals who signed or initialed the instructions before the alteration.

(6)

An escrow agent may accept trust funds, in excess of earnest money required in transaction documents to be held, as individual funds of the principal who has paid them into escrow. Such individual trust funds may be disbursed with only the separate written instructions of the principal who deposited the funds into escrow.

(7)

An escrow agent may open a one-sided escrow, as defined by rule by the Real Estate Commissioner, by receiving the funds, property or documents for an escrow. Such escrow funds may be disbursed with only the separate written instructions of the principal who deposited the funds into escrow.

(8)

Except as authorized in ORS 105.475 (Buyer’s statement of revocation of offer), notwithstanding the requirement for dated, separate escrow instructions to close an escrow or disburse funds or property in an escrow, an escrow agent:

(a)

May disburse earnest money deposited based on an agreement of the parties executed after the initial sales agreement; and

(b)

May not impose additional requirements on the principals to the transaction, including a requirement that the principals sign a release of liability in favor of the escrow agent.

(9)

Notwithstanding any provision of this section, an escrow agent may disburse funds, property or documents deposited in escrow in accordance with an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. [1985 c.399 §2; 1991 c.874 §11; 2007 c.289 §1; 2008 c.54 §2; 2009 c.174 §11]

Source: Section 696.581 — Written escrow instructions or agreement required; statement; instructions containing blank prohibited; one-sided escrow; exceptions, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors696.­html.

696.007
Statement of legislative purpose
696.010
Definitions
696.015
Legislative finding
696.020
License required for individuals engaged in professional real estate activities
696.022
Licensing system for real estate brokers and property managers
696.024
Payments due and owing to Real Estate Agency
696.026
Registration and renewal of business names
696.030
Exemptions
696.040
Single act sufficient to constitute professional real estate activity
696.110
Exclusive nature of regulation of real estate licensees
696.125
Limited license
696.130
Effect of revocation of license
696.174
License renewal
696.182
Continuing education
696.184
Duties of continuing education provider
696.186
Qualifications of continuing education instructors
696.200
Main office
696.205
Death or incapacity of sole principal real estate broker or sole licensed real estate property manager
696.232
License status of employee of agency
696.241
Clients’ trust accounts
696.243
Substituting copy for original canceled check allowed
696.245
Clients’ trust accounts
696.255
Nonresident license equivalent to appointment of commissioner as agent for service of process
696.265
Recognition of nonresident real estate licensee
696.270
Fees
696.280
Records of licensed real estate property managers and real estate brokers
696.290
Sharing compensation with or paying finder’s fee to unlicensed person prohibited
696.292
Limitation on demand for compensation
696.294
Opinion letter
696.301
Grounds for discipline
696.310
Intracompany supervision and control
696.315
Prohibition against licensee permitting nonlicensed individual to engage in activity with or on behalf of licensee
696.320
Effect of suspension or revocation of principal broker license on associated licensees
696.323
Effect of violations by real estate licensee on associated licensees
696.363
Relationship between licensees as independent contractors or employer and employee
696.365
City or county business license tax
696.375
Real Estate Agency
696.385
Power of agency
696.392
Power of commissioner to administer oaths, take depositions and issue subpoenas
696.395
Power of commissioner
696.396
Investigation of complaints and progressive discipline
696.397
Cease and desist order
696.398
Delegation by commissioner to employees
696.405
Real Estate Board
696.415
Officers
696.425
Powers and duties of board
696.430
Records of commissioner as evidence
696.445
Advancement of education and research
696.490
Real Estate Account
696.495
Revolving fund
696.505
Definitions for ORS 696.505 to 696.590
696.508
Legislative finding
696.511
License requirement
696.520
Application of ORS 696.505 to 696.590
696.523
Application of ORS 696.505 to 696.590 to title insurance activities
696.525
Bond for escrow agents
696.527
Deposits in lieu of bond
696.530
Expiration and renewal of license
696.532
Limited license
696.534
Records of escrow agents
696.535
Grounds for refusing, suspending or revoking license or reprimanding licensee
696.541
Authority of commissioner over escrow agents
696.545
Investigation
696.555
Commissioner to take possession of property and assets of escrow agent when assets or capital impaired
696.570
Hearings procedure under ORS 696.505 to 696.590
696.575
Civil or criminal actions not limited by ORS 696.505 to 696.590
696.577
Commissioner’s order against unlicensed agent
696.578
Deposit and designation of funds held in escrow
696.579
Funds exempt from execution or attachment
696.581
Written escrow instructions or agreement required
696.582
Escrow agent to hold certain compensation
696.585
Civil penalties
696.590
Penalty amounts
696.600
Definitions for ORS 696.392, 696.600 to 696.785 and 696.995
696.603
License requirement
696.606
Real estate marketing organization license
696.609
Exemptions from ORS 696.392, 696.600 to 696.785 and 696.995
696.612
Grounds for disciplinary action
696.615
Publication of sanctions imposed for violations
696.618
Denial of right to court action for unlicensed real estate marketing organization
696.621
Real Estate Marketing Account
696.624
Consent by nonresident real estate marketing organization to service of summons or process required
696.627
On-site inspection allowed
696.710
Necessity of alleging license in action to collect compensation
696.720
Remedies are concurrent
696.730
Jurisdiction of courts for violations
696.775
Authority of commissioner when license lapsed, expired, revoked, suspended or surrendered
696.785
Commissioner duties when illegal commingling of funds found
696.790
Authority of commissioner to require fingerprints
696.795
Authority of commissioner to conduct investigations and proceedings
696.800
Definitions
696.805
Real estate licensee as seller’s agent
696.810
Real estate licensee as buyer’s agent
696.815
Representation of both buyer and seller
696.820
Agency disclosure pamphlet
696.822
Liability of principal for act, error or omission of agent or subagent
696.835
Buyer and seller responsibilities
696.840
Compensation and agency relationships
696.845
Acknowledgment of existing agency relationships form
696.855
Common law application to statutory obligations and remedies
696.870
Duties of real estate licensee under ORS 105.462 to 105.490, 696.301 and 696.870
696.880
Licensee not required to disclose proximity of registered sex offender
696.890
Duties of real estate property managers
696.990
Penalties
696.995
Civil penalties for violation of ORS 696.603, 696.606 or 696.612
Green check means up to date. Up to date