A Missouri Blind Trust Agreement is a legal contract established under the Missouri Revised Statutes that serves as a tool for individuals to separate themselves from the management and decision-making process of their assets. This trust agreement is designed to maintain anonymity and prevent conflicts of interest, as it shields the beneficiary from having knowledge or control over the specific assets contained in the trust. The purpose of a Blind Trust Agreement is to minimize potential biases or conflicts that may arise when individuals in positions of power, such as public officials, politicians, or high-level executives, possess significant financial interests. By transferring their assets into a blind trust, they effectively delegate the management and investment decisions to a trustee, who acts independently and without disclosing sensitive information to the beneficiary. In Missouri, there are primarily two types of Blind Trust Agreements commonly implemented: 1. Traditional Blind Trust: This type of agreement is the more common form. In a traditional blind trust, the beneficiary fully relinquishes their decision-making authority and places complete trust in the appointed trustee. The trustee manages and invests the assets independently, not disclosing any information related to the portfolio's contents or transactions to the beneficiary. 2. Partial Blind Trust: Unlike the traditional blind trust, a partial blind trust allows the beneficiary to maintain some level of knowledge or control over specific assets. This type of trust agreement can be beneficial when the beneficiary needs to be informed about certain investments that might affect their public or private interests. However, the beneficiary remains unaware of other investments made within the trust portfolio, ensuring a level of privacy and impartiality. Both types of Missouri Blind Trust Agreements aim to maintain the integrity of decision-making processes by ensuring that personal financial interests do not influence official duties, public policy decisions, or investment management. These agreements provide a legally binding framework that safeguards the reputation and credibility of elected officials or individuals in influential positions.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.