Question:

What is a wet settlement act?

Answer:

At the time of settlement sellers want their money as early as possible after signing the deed. Most expect to receive a check at the settlement table.

This law was enacted for preventing delays by lenders in sending the funds to the settlement attorney. Previously what use to happen is that settlement attorney used to hold the closing & then send closing documents to lender for approval. After the documents were reviewed & approved, lender normally used to send a check to settlement attorney. This process used to take 1 or 2 days but in some instances it can also happen that it takes almost 2 weeks.

Wet Settlement Law forces lenders to provide the funds at or before closing in the form of wired funds, cash or certified check at the time of settlement. In return lenders require that the settlement attorney does not disburse the funds until mortgage lien is recorded in the land records.
Source:MortgageFit.com