SOP #49 — Milestone Escrow That Protected $95k

SOP #49 — Milestone Escrow That Protected $95k

$95k app acquisition with code, accounts, and a 60-day handover. We split escrow into release gates:

1. Define gates — 50% on verified asset transfer, 30% on confirmed revenue continuity (day 30), 20% on handover completion (day 60).
2. Write objective triggers for each gate — 'revenue within 90% of trailing average' is measurable; 'seller cooperates' is not.
3. Name the escrow agent and dispute path in writing before funding.
4. Verify each gate with documents, not seller assurance, before authorizing release.

Outcome: at the day-30 gate, revenue had dropped to 71% of average due to a broken payment integration the seller hid. We held the 30% tranche, forced a fix, released only after recovery. Protected $28,500.

Save this — run it every deal.