Millions of dollars has been donated to funds for victims, but that money can get in the way for families.

Financial and mental health experts have some tips about how to keep a level head when it's your family in crisis.

"The first 24 hours are a whole mix of some of the most intense emotions people have," said Don Mares, the president and CEO of Mental Health America of Colorado.

Whether it's a national tragedy or the emergency in your house, people can't help but want to help. Monetary donations often start flowing in.

When it's your family, dealing with the tragedy and all the help can be overwhelming. It can cause fights among family and friends and can sometimes make an already bad situation worse.

Experts in setting up victim funds say it's crucial to come up with a plan and to not work alone.

"The first thing really would be to consult your financial or legal advisors," said Sarah Harrison, the deputy vice president for the Philanthropic Services Group of The Denver Foundation.

The Denver Foundation helped set up funds for victims of the shootings at Columbine. Harrison says you have to work fast and do your research following a crisis. Although during a crisis, families sometimes aren't thinking clearly.

"Have a facilitated discussion," Harrison said. "Have someone who is not a family member lead that discussion."

Mares says an impartial source is crucial when making financial decisions during a crisis, especially when it comes to who is control of the money raised or donated.

"Anytime you throw money into the mix of the emotion and the difficulty of a situation, it can cause problems," Mares said.

Experts say they are problems that can easily be avoided, even in the toughest of circumstances.

(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation with The Associated Press)