> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zen.land/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cancelling an Escrow

> How to cancel an escrow and get your funds back at every stage.

<Info>
  **Quick answer:** If the seller hasn't accepted yet, ask them to **decline** the escrow — or wait **1 hour** for the acceptance window to expire and cancel it yourself. Either way, you get a full refund.
</Info>

## How Cancellation Works

There is no single "Cancel" button. How you get your funds back depends on the **current state** of the escrow. Here's every scenario:

***

## By Escrow State

### Pending — Seller Hasn't Accepted

This is the most common cancellation scenario. The escrow is created and funded, but the seller hasn't accepted yet.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Option 1: Seller Declines" icon="xmark">
    The seller logs in and clicks **Decline**. The full escrow amount is refunded to the buyer instantly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Option 2: Acceptance Window Expires" icon="clock">
    If the seller doesn't respond within **1 hour**, the buyer can cancel the escrow and receive a full refund.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Warning>
  The buyer **cannot** cancel unilaterally while the 1-hour acceptance window is still active. This protects the seller's right to review and accept.
</Warning>

***

### Active — Seller Accepted, Work In Progress

Once the seller accepts, the buyer can no longer cancel alone. But there are two ways to return the funds:

| Method            | Who    | How                                                                                                 |
| ----------------- | ------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Seller Refund** | Seller | The seller can refund 100% to the buyer at any time — no approval needed                            |
| **Mutual Split**  | Both   | Either party proposes a split (can be 100% to buyer), the other approves, and funds are distributed |

<Tip>
  If you both agree the deal should be cancelled, a **split of 100% to buyer / 0% to seller** works exactly like a cancellation.
</Tip>

***

### Fulfilled — Seller Marked Complete

Same options as Active:

* **Seller** can still refund 100% to the buyer
* **Both parties** can agree on a split

<Warning>
  **Buyers:** If you don't release, dispute, or negotiate before the protection period expires, the seller can claim the funds.
</Warning>

***

### Disputed — Dispute Opened

Even during a dispute, funds can still be returned:

* **Seller refund** — seller can refund 100% at any time
* **Mutual split** — both parties agree on a split
* **Invite the agent** — the agent decides how to split the funds

***

### Agent Invited — Waiting for Resolution

While the agent is reviewing the case:

* **Seller** can still refund 100%
* **Both parties** can still agree on a split
* **Agent** resolves and distributes funds (minus their fee)
* If the agent doesn't respond within **7 days**, either party can **claim timeout** — the escrow returns to Disputed state with no agent, and you settle via split or seller refund

***

### Terminal States — It's Over

Once an escrow reaches **Released**, **Refunded**, **Split**, or **Agent Resolved**, no further actions are possible. The funds have already been distributed.

***

## What About the Protocol Fee?

<Note>
  The protocol fee (paid by the buyer at creation) is **not refunded** regardless of how the escrow ends. This fee covers the cost of deploying and maintaining the smart contract infrastructure.
</Note>

***

## Summary Table

| State                       | Buyer Can Cancel? | Seller Can Cancel? | How                                               |
| --------------------------- | :---------------: | :----------------: | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pending** (within 1 hour) |         ❌         |      ✅ Decline     | Seller clicks Decline                             |
| **Pending** (after 1 hour)  |  ✅ Cancel Expired |      ✅ Decline     | Either party acts                                 |
| **Active**                  |         ❌         |      ✅ Refund      | Seller refunds or both agree on split             |
| **Fulfilled**               |         ❌         |      ✅ Refund      | Seller refunds or both agree on split             |
| **Disputed**                |         ❌         |      ✅ Refund      | Seller refunds, split, or agent resolves          |
| **Agent Invited**           |         ❌         |      ✅ Refund      | Seller refunds, split, agent resolves, or timeout |
| **Terminal**                |         ❌         |          ❌         | Already finalized                                 |

***

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I cancel an escrow if the seller hasn't accepted?">
    You have two options: ask the seller to log in and decline the escrow (instant refund), or wait for the 1-hour acceptance window to expire and cancel it yourself.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can the buyer cancel an active escrow?">
    No. Once the seller accepts, the buyer cannot unilaterally cancel. The seller can refund, or both parties can agree on a split.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will I get my protocol fee back?">
    No. The protocol fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if the agent doesn't respond?">
    After 7 days, either party can claim agent timeout. The escrow returns to disputed state with no agent. From there, settle via mutual split or seller refund.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

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