What are escrow instructions called when given by one party at a time?

Escrow instructions given by one party at a time are referred to as unilateral instructions. This term means that only one party is providing instructions without requiring simultaneous agreement or instructions from the other party involved in the transaction. In real estate transactions, unilateral instructions can occur when one party, such as the buyer or seller, sets forth terms or conditions for the escrow process or for specific tasks that need to be completed.

This type of instruction differs from other terms like bilateral, which implies mutual commitment and agreement between both parties. Mutual instructions involve cooperation and acceptance from all parties, making it different from unilateral, where only one side takes the initiative. Conditional instructions would imply that the terms are dependent on certain conditions being met, which does not accurately capture the essence of unilateral instructions. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the nature of one-sided versus mutual agreements in the escrow process.