Should a Trust be set up??

[Patrick H.]

I have a friend that his mother has around 900k in investments ( stock market, retirement and savings account)  and owns no real estate.  Should she set up a trust?  She shouldn't have to pay probate correct?  

I know my lawyer charged me probate on my dads retirement account after he passed and when I brought it to his attention he said that I had to pay it.  I know I didn't have to but I did any way to keep the peace.  It paid off in the long run for other work he did for me later.

Thanks in advance.