Or rather: the love of money is the root of all evil. It is amazing how damaging money can be for those who have it and those that don't. We only have to look through the press at the moment to see that those heavily involved in the crashing financial situation are so distraught that some of them are even taking their own lives and even those of their families.



For those without money, the pressure is ever greater but not something that people aren't used to dealing with. It seems quite unbelievable to many in the UK but actually, even in this so-called affluent country, there are families that are extremely poor, that still live hand to mouth. They will be used to the current hardship and many of them realise the greater value of other things in life, such as family and loved ones.

That's not to say that money doesn't affect the poor. Many times we have read in the paper of those at the lower end of the income scale have either inherited money from wills or had a windfall on the lottery and not known how to handle it. After splurging on often tacky expenses, they fritter away the money until they are poor again, back in a situation that they understand.

There is no getting away from it. Money, the lack of it or too much of it, can affect us all in detrimental ways. What is crucial to us though is that we remember what is important, more important than money, such as our families. Yet, money causes many a dispute in families, even when there is an abundance of it.

One family recently featured in the news were at loggerheads with each other over an unexpected turn of events when their fathers will was read. He had made the will shortly before he died of cancer and the parties that were claiming to be injured were the ones that were left with a few million instead of an equal portion. Shame! Their argument was that the father would have been dosed up with morphine and in no fit state to write a will.

The eldest son was bequeathed over 8 pounds million, a younger son with over 4 pounds million and a daughter with 1.5 pounds million. The younger two of the inheritors say that a discussion was held between the three and an agreement reached that the fortune should be shared equally. The eldest son denies this conversation ever took place and the family have fallen out over the issue.

So, it would seem that money certainly does come between people, even families who are meant to love each other and have more money than the average person could ever dream of. Most of us would be more than content to be left over a million pounds in somebody's will and I'm guessing the issue is more that the two with less money feel aggrieved that maybe their older sibling was a favourite. This can cause bad feeling that no amount of money could put right and even sharing the money equally will never detract from the fact that this was what the father put in place in his will.

It is always a good idea to talk to the people that are going to inherit or not as the case maybe, from your will. This can avoid any problems later on and give you chance to voice your reasons. If nothing else, it would be wise to detail your reasoning in your will so that there are no family feuds after the event.