Power Play: When an Invalid Power of Attorney Derails Closing

When a seller signs through a power of attorney (POA) that later proves invalid, a seemingly routine closing can freeze lender funding, stall title transfer, and expose everyone to legal risk. In this episode Matthew Halliday opens with a real escrow story where an expired POA surfaced just hours before funding. He breaks that incident into three practical lessons: how buyers, sellers, and agents verify authority early; what escrow and title officers can do to cure or temporarily protect a closing; and negotiation moves that preserve leverage without burning bridges. Listeners walk away with an easy POA verification checklist, clear red flags to flag in docs, and contingency options—like holdbacks, short-form ratifications, and rapid joinder—that actually work in the real world. This episode keeps legal talk practical: actionable steps you can use on your next deal to avoid last-minute authority surprises.