If you are one of the many people who experienced calamitous financial changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, filing for bankruptcy may be your best way forward. There is hope, even in the most difficult situations, as personified by a legendary Hawaiian tree.

The Pandemic is Over – Now What?

Many people experienced major life changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these may have had a catastrophic effect on your financial situation that is only now apparent. There was this idea that things would go back to how they were, but the reality is that a lot of things are different. As you move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, bankruptcy may be an option to get back to square one and start rebuilding your future.

Learn From the Land

When considering how to cope in tough situations, O’hia Lehua trees come to mind. The well-known legend tells of the handsome O’hia who caught the eye of the goddess Pele. O’hia, in love with Lehua, spurned Pele. To get revenge, Pele turned O’hia into an ugly tree. Lehua appealed to the gods to allow her to be with O’hia. They turned her into a beautiful flower to bloom on the O’hia tree guaranteeing they could be together forever.

In real life, as in the legend, this hardy tree adapts to difficult surroundings and manages to bloom in spite of many challenges. For example, it is among the first plants to grow after a lava eruption, sprouting in the middle of black lava fields. However, even with its many strengths, it is threatened by outside forces, such as rapid o’hia death and habitat loss. The endemic tree is uniquely adapted to its climate, but when that is affected, it is in real danger of survival. Like the O’hia Lehua tree starting again from the bare rock of a cooling lava flow, residents of Hawai’i came through the fire of the pandemic, only to be set upon by things outside their control yet again. How can they adapt and bloom in spite of their challenges?

Move Forward

Initially, there was palpable relief coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses were allowed to open, children went back to school, and government offices opened for in-person appointments. However, while many things returned to normal, family, personal and business finances have not necessarily returned to where they were pre-pandemic. Some of this may be attributed to changes in employment or other major stressors.

You are making difficult decisions every day. Sometimes the only way forward is to file for bankruptcy.  If you have any questions regarding bankruptcy, be sure to contact Rick or Lars at Abelmann Peterson Law. They can provide you with the legal advice you need. And remember, whatever your circumstances, like an O’hia Lehua tree blooming in a lava field, there is always hope for a fresh start.