It's hardly more trouble than writing a will, and lets everything go directly to your heirs after your death, without taking a circuitous and expensive detour through probate court. While you're alive, the trust has no effect, and you can revoke it or change its terms at any time. It's quick and simple. You can do the same thing, in about 40 states, with securities. If you have enough property to worry about federal estate taxes, think about a tax-avoidance trust as well.
Most estates are never subject to tax, but if estate tax does take a bite, it can be a big one.
One way to reduce these taxes is to give away property before your death. After all, if you don't own it, it can't be taxed. Still, an annual gift-giving plan can reduce the size of even a big estate, especially if you have a good sized covey of kids and grandkids. Another way to cut taxes is to create certain kinds of trusts. The most common, the AB trust, is one that couples use.