lifetime deed

My father purchased a summer cottage years ago on a lifetime deed. It is now worth a great deal of money. My mother passed away and now my by the terms of the deed, my father owns 1/2 of the property and my brother and I own 1/4 each. We want to put this property into a trust, but our lawyer says that this type of deed cannot be changed or put into a trust. Is this true? We are worried if my father goes into a nursing home, the state may eventually take this property.