Most of the trusts I see are sold by insurance agents and CPA's selling financial services on the side.  People who don't trust the simplified probate procedures in most states, aren't going to trust lawyers who tell them the truth.  They are going to trust the salespeople who tell them, "Now that you have a trust, let me help you transfer all your assets into it.  So first, give me a list of all of them."  If you can't trust the person who sold you the trust, whom can you trust?  Then they are told: "These are terrible investments.  I will sell you some that are much better."