You're right, Rob, nobody should be waiting more than 30 days for payment.  But we all do it.  Our customers as a rule do eventually pay, and we're finding more and more that they won't pay until the people actually go to settlement.  I can see their way of thinking, after all, they can't disburse on anything else until they get funded, so why shouldn't the abstractor be willing to wait.  I have to wonder if appraisers are facing the same situation. Not saying it's right, just that it is what it is. 

I don't think this situation will ever change until abstractors present a united front with a firm 30 day payment policy.  It does little good to say we won't do any more work for you because your account isn't current when the customer can just go find another abstractor who will put up with this nonsese, and the you're out that customer's business.  Money received late is better than money received not at all, i guess! 

I've often wondered if customers would be open to terms like 10 net 30, meaning that if you pay within 30 days you can deduct 10% off the price.  Anybody ever tried that approach?