What Happens If an Escrow Deal Expires?

Every escrow deal has a lifecycle. It starts when both parties agree to terms, moves through funding and delivery, and ends with release, dispute, or expiration. Understanding what happens at expiration protects both sides from losing money or assets to inactivity.

Typical deal stages and time limits#

• Draft: unlimited time — the deal exists but no funds are locked.
• Awaiting funding: 7 days — if the buyer doesn't fund, the deal auto-cancels.
• Awaiting delivery: 7 days — if the seller doesn't deliver, the buyer can request a full refund.
• Inspection window: 24 hours to 7 days depending on asset type.
• Post-release: funds are gone; no further action is possible.

What happens to funds at expiration#

If a deal expires because the seller never delivered, the buyer is refunded in full including the escrow fee. If the deal expires because the buyer never confirmed delivery after the inspection window, funds typically auto-release to the seller — the assumption being that silence equals satisfaction. This is why buyers must actively confirm or dispute within the window.

Escrows Click holds funds in a neutral wallet, verifies delivery, and only releases payment when both parties are satisfied. Start a deal in two minutes at escrows.click.