Resolved Question: Should my Father make out a "living trust" or a "will"?

My father’s 76 years old and he has been a smoker for over 60 year and his heath is declining. He has no legal papers to answer for his estate as of yet. I have 4 older sisters and I know for a fact that without legal documentation it will only lead to arguments, bitterness and fighting in our family. I have been told that a “living trust” is better than a “will” as a will ends up in probate court and a living trust doesn’t? Can anyone help me with this as I am researching this for my father and hoping to let him know what to about this situation soon. I did some online searching but with so much corruption and dishonesty in the world today I didn’t know who if anyone was out there to help?
If you ‘really’ do know the answer to this post then please do let me know. This is not just a casual question as it is very important to my future and the rest of my family.