Trusts can help provide protection for assets while you are alive and after your death. Putting assets into a trust could potentially allow you to shield those assets from inheritance taxes. They can also help you potentially qualify for Medicaid coverage or nursing home care without your having to impoverish yourself. Additionally, trusts can give you more control over how an inheritance is spent or enable you to leave money to a loved one with special needs without causing a loss of means-tested government benefits. Unfortunately, trusts can be complex and costly to create and maintain. Depending on the type of trust, they can also involve giving up substantial control over some of your assets.