When the parties deliver documents and money to the Escrow Officer to be held for further delivery until certain conditions have been met, we say the documents are held "in escrow", or that the parties have " opened an escrow." Each of the principals of the escrow (Seller, Buyer, Lender) will give to the escrow holder written instructions setting out the conditions under which further delivery is to be made. These Instructions are usually prepared by the EscrowOfficer or the Escrow Assistant.