revocable trust vs. irrevocable trust

properties in revocable trust are treated just like owned by the trustee.  Any income from the properties in the revocable trust are treated as personal income.  

Properties in irrevocable trust are treated as income of the trust, and the income tax rate would be higher.  If you died young and the irrevocable trust needs to be open while your children are minors, the trust income would pay a higher tax rate.   That cannot be helped.  You cannot give the money to a relative or friend and completely trust him/her for managing the money without at least confusion and lost fund.