In a Deed of Trust, the trustee is a neutral third-party who holds the legal title of the property as security for the loan until the lender's money is repaid or the borrower defaults. Trustees are sometimes referred to as escrow agents. Escrow is the process of a third-party securing a transaction (in the case of the sale of real estate, they are holding the title of the property until the loan agreement is satisfied or dissolved). Usually the escrow agent (trustee) is an attorney or a title company. A title company ensures that the title to real estate is legitimate, and they insure the property. Title insurance shields the lender and borrower from potential lawsuits that arise from disputes over the title.