I feel for all sides.  I am a huge pro payment supporter but at least Missy is trying to be as honest as possible - at least I hope so.  I have hundreds of files that never closed.  We did however manage to pay the examiners.  We are a small company as well and have felt the crunch more than some of the bigger title co's.  I will say that Surveyors get the shaft a lot more than examiners.  It is a common occurance that the survey never gets paid if the file doesn't close in Ohio.  Unfortunate but it happens. 

Give her a chance to see what she can do but I would still look into the proper channels of pursuing the payments, i.e. BBB complaints and a call to my attorney.  Ya never know Missy may surprise you.  Sounds like they are lucky to still be operating with the loss of 3 big clients. 

Even if they could sell their cars and stuff the amount owed on those items more than likely exceedes the amount they will bring in with a sale.  Lets get real, everyone is feeling this crunch and stuff isn't worth the material it is built with these days. 

Clanci