A durable power of attorney is a simple and inexpensive way to avoid conservatorship. This brief document appoints another person as your "attorney in fact," to handle your assets. It is less detailed than a revocable living trust agreement, and it is less expensive because it is so short and involves no transfers of assets.
However, durable powers of attorney frequently give no direction to your attorney in fact regarding your plans for investments, money management, or distribution. They generally contain no written restrictions on their use.
With a revocable living trust, it is possible not to transfer all assets to the trustee immediately, but specifically to authorize the attorney in fact to finish funding the trust if you become incapacitated. This approach will not avoid probate, however, if the trust funding is not completed before you die, because the power of attorney dies with you.