Attorney Todd Carney

Attorney Todd Carney is a writer and graduate of Harvard Law School. While in law school, Todd worked in a clinic that helped pro-bono clients file for bankruptcy. Todd also studied several aspects of how the law impacts consumers. Todd has written over 40 articles for sites such as RealClear Policy and Lawfare. Prior to law school, Todd graduated from American University with a B.A. in political science and public communication and spent five years working in digital advertising. While working in digital advertising, Todd read a lot on consumer finance and that made him interested in studying it in law school, with the hope of getting to work on issues impacting consumers in the long-term. Todd lives and is admitted to practice law in Washington DC. The views in his pieces are his alone and do not reflect the views of his employer.

All ArticlesConsumer RightsCredit IssuesDebtsHousing

Articles written by Attorney Todd Carney

What Is a Deficiency Balance?

Written by Attorney Todd Carney. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 30, 2025

A deficiency balance arises when the profits from a foreclosure sale are less than the amount owed on a mortgage. A lender who is owed this debt may pursue it by seeking a deficiency judgment from the court. It is possible for borrowers to negotiate repayment of these balances.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

A foreclosure doesn't mean you're banned from buying another home. There are ways to get credit-worthy once you've overcome a foreclosure. No matter what your credit history looks like, you can get a home loan approval even after a foreclosure.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

A hard inquiry (sometimes called a “hard pull”) is a record of every time that a creditor or lender runs your credit report to help decide what kind of credit or loan to grant you. When someone runs a credit check, it harms your credit score. Given the potential harm, you should look to remove as many hard inquiries as possible. This article takes you through how to remove hard inquiries from your credit report. It discusses which hard inquiries are removable and the specifics of disputing them.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 30, 2025

Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years. There’s no way to remove a bankruptcy filing from your credit report early if the information is accurate. Bankruptcy will hurt your credit at first, but the effect will lessen over time. And in the long term, it can help you get your financial life back on track.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 30, 2025

A mortgage is a legally binding agreement between a home buyer and a lender that dictates a borrower's ability to pay off a loan. Every mortgage has an interest rate, a term length, and specific fees attached to it.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 24, 2025

A bank levy is a legal move that allows creditors to collect an unpaid debt by taking money directly from a borrower’s bank account. Creditors can continue to take money from your account until your debt is paid off. While your account can be levied more than once, you have options and rights., This article will educate you on how to be prepared for a levy and what your rights are.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated January 15, 2025

Many people wonder if the government can look inside their bank accounts, especially when applying for Social Security benefits. The short answer is yes, but only in certain situations. If you’re part of the Supplemental Security Income program, the Social Security Administration has the legal authority to review your financial information to ensure you meet eligibility requirements. This article will explain why and how the SSA conducts these reviews, what counts toward SSI eligibility limits, and how you can safeguard your benefits.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated May 11, 2023

Force-placed insurance is a home insurance policy that a lender or loan servicer places on a borrower’s property. Mortgage providers may do this if they find that the homeowner no longer has an active insurance policy or if they believe that the homeowner’s insurance does not adequately protect the property. This article explains what force-placed insurance is and the impact it can have on borrowers.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated November 29, 2021

Borrowers cannot generally change their mortgage loan servicers unless they refinance. Even then, servicers may change at any time without a borrower's permission. It is important for homeowners to know their rights when it comes to dealing with mortgage servicers.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated November 26, 2021

If your home sells for less than what you owed on the mortgage, you may still owe money and the creditor can get a deficiency judgment against you. California homeowners have access to certain protections under the state’s anti-deficiency statutes. These laws address borrowers’ rights during the foreclosure process, including deficiency balances and when and how much you have to pay. This article will explain deficiency judgments in California, when they apply, how to calculate them, how you can minimize what you owe under California’s Code of Civil Procedure (CCP).

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in North Dakota can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in North Dakota.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Tennessee can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Tennessee.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Idaho can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Idaho.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Iowa can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Iowa.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Hawaii can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Hawaii.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Delaware can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Delaware.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in District of Columbia can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in District of Columbia.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Colorado can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Colorado.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in California can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in California.

Written by Attorney Todd Carney.
Updated January 30, 2025

Landlords in Massachusetts can’t just change the locks, toss your belongings out on the front yard, or shut down essential utilities. A landlord must follow the eviction process in order to have a tenant evicted for any reason. Here's an overview of what this means for tenants in Massachusetts.