An escrow account is, by definition, a hands-off account. It can’t be your own bank account. What would prevent you from grabbing the money?
Nor can it be an account that the landlord could access. The money is safe until a legal entity decides who receives it. Perhaps OC Scam can let us know how his/her escrow account was set up.
As far as “throwing away your money” is the house is foreclosed on in three months… you are paying to have a roof over your head NOW, so this is not a valid issue. The service you are paying for is being provided, therefore, you need to pay the full amount in a timely fashion, and not with caveats on your part.
If it is that uncomfortable for you to be there start researching alternatives. But by all means – the rental agreement you signed is still your responsibility.
All this said, I think you are on the right track by putting your situation on a blog and getting answers from all directions. Your concern is your son – who will probably absorb some valuable life lessons by how this is handled.
