Earnest money stuck in limbo

[Francis Rusnak]

Have an off-market house we were supposed to close on 4 months ago. The seller was the one who contacted us to sell, then he randomly goes MIA so we never close on his house.

Clearing up the books and go to get the 1k earnest money back and the title company tells me we need his signature to release it. 

The seller didn't have an agent and the attorney who represented him is adamant he doesn't represent the client anymore -- sounds like they had a falling out. My attorney is working on it, but it doesn't sound good. Either need his signature or a court order. 

Anyone have something similar happen?