You don't need the funds to be seasoned at all, since you can paper trail the funds using the settlement statement.

@Ishmael Johnson  the FEMA person said they were a total loss and that was part of the insurance settlement but it was up to us to dispose of them. 

If your lease with the tenants stated they are responsible for this bill, I'd suggest you pay it right away to avoid the lean and include it as part of the security deposit settlement process. 

I am worried that if I decline the settlement offer and pursue legal action, that even if I win, my chances of actually getting the money from him are slim.I know no one can really give legal advice here, but I'd appreciate some good ol' advice just the same.

Sometimes the title co or settlement attorney are backed up. 

I am still hoping to be able to reschedule the new house settlement soon if I can just close out the refinance and have the funds disbursed.Later in the day on Thursday I was told that the mortgage company had obtained the disaster insurance certificate and my loan was in final underwriting and could potentially close Friday or Monday.

Good luck on your settlement and REI aspirations. 

Lastly if you look at a settlement statement I I look at a lot of them as stated at least 20 a month.. when people refi to pay me off their cost of loans is always at least 4k in fee's junk fee  points other service and review fee's to the lender the lenders MUST bring in 4k per file to stay alive so you can have the guys/gals that low ball on points but junk fee it up at the closing table  ..

If it was an assignment it's unlikely you can find out who the wholesaler is since it would only be on the settlement statement (At least in my state)You could try getting ahold of the buyer and seeing if s/he will share the wholesaler's information with you.

On the side of the property you can see signs of settlement.