While trust protectors are often used in irrevocable trusts, one estate lawyer also uses them in revocable trusts. "If you have those powers, and the bad kid is taking advantage of mom or dad's trust, for example — bam — trust protector removes and puts in place somebody else," Shenkman said. READ MORE: How family talks, and the right trust, can build 'estate tax magic'Spendthrift provisions safeguard family wealthAnother estate lawyer, who said he also uses trust protectors in revocable and irrevocable trust plans, said protectors can be useful even for responsible family members. Moving the trust to a different stateChanging the state where the trust is located can be another responsibility for the trust protector, Shenkman suggested. The law is more advantageous in states such as Alaska and Nevada, and the trust protector can also eventually switch to an institutional trustee, a more secure method.