payoff-letter-request

name	payoff-letter-request
title	Payoff Letter Request
description	Drafts formal payoff letter requests to lenders for the precise amount needed to satisfy a loan obligation on a given date. Extracts loan details from matter documents, identifies missing information, and tailors urgency to transaction deadlines. Incorporates RESPA compliance, per diem interest, and itemized breakdown specifications. Use when requesting payoff statements, mortgage payoff letters, loan satisfaction amounts, or lien release calculations in closings, refinancing, or debt satisfaction scenarios.
author	CaseMark
author_url	https://github.com/CaseMark/skills/tree/main/skills/legal/payoff-letter-request
license	Apache-2.0
version	0.1.0
execution_mode	open
jurisdiction	us
practice	real-estate
language	en
tags	["drafting","letter","transactional"]

Payoff Letter Request

Drafts a request to a lender for the amount required to fully satisfy a loan as of a specific date, for use in closings, refinancing, and debt satisfaction.

Prerequisites

Gather before drafting — pause and request any missing items:

1. Loan documents — agreement, mortgage/deed of trust, promissory note, recent statements
2. Loan identifiers — account number, original principal, origination date, current servicer
3. Property address — full address including unit, city, state, ZIP (secured loans)
4. Borrower identity — full legal name as on loan documents
5. Requested payoff date — exact date payment will be tendered
6. Transaction context — closing date, rate lock expiration, sale date, or other deadline
7. Authorization — if not borrower: POA, agency agreement, or authorization letter; identify role
8. Prepayment provisions — penalties, early termination fees, or specific payoff procedures

Process

1. Document Review and Gap Analysis

Search matter files for loan agreements, notes, statements, and lender correspondence. Extract:

Data Point	Source
Loan account number	Statement or note
Original principal and date	Promissory note
Current approximate balance	Most recent statement
Servicer name and address	Statement or correspondence
Prepayment penalty provisions	Loan agreement
Required payoff procedures	Loan agreement or servicer website
Notice clause requirements	Loan agreement

If critical fields are missing (account number, payoff date, property address, authorization), list gaps and explain why each is needed before proceeding.

2. Assess Urgency

Context	Timeframe	Sample Language
Scheduled closing	7-10 business days	"in connection with a scheduled closing on [DATE]"
Refinancing with rate lock	Expedited	"rate lock expires on [DATE]; prompt response essential"