Christopher M. Floss

Counsel
Chris focuses his practice in the following areas: estate planning; estate and trust administration; income, gift, and estate tax planning; and business succession planning.
Christopher Floss Portrait

Chris helps clients discern their wealth transfer objectives and implement structures that fit those objectives.

Chris also advises clients in the post-death administration of estates and trusts, and enjoys forming long-term relationships with his clients as a trusted advisor who is available for counsel during life’s transitions.

In addition to his career in private practice, Chris gained experience in the administration of high-net-worth trusts while serving as a senior trust officer of a major national corporate fiduciary.

A prolific writer, Chris founded and manages “Planning Your Future,” a blog that covers tax and estate planning news and trends. As a graduate student in Rome, he served in the United States Air Force Reserve’s Chaplain Candidate Program.

Boards, Memberships & Certifications

Chris is a member of the American Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Estate Planning Council, and University Club of Chicago.

Professional Associations

Chris is a former associate board member of Goodcity Chicago. He has presented to several religious and civic organizations regarding estate planning, including the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Publications

  • “Glancing Back to Look Ahead: 2022 Estate Planning Trends and Their Impact on 2023 Planning,” Estates, Gifts & Trusts Journal (Nov. 10, 2022)
  • “The Current Landscape of GRAT Planning,” 47 Tax Mgmt. Ests., Gifts & Trs. J. No. 3 (May 12, 2022)
  • “Top Ten Tax Topics of 2021,” Planning Your Future blog (Apr. 15, 2021)
  • “Does 3.8% Change Anything? The Intersection of the Net Investment Income Tax and Fiduciary Income Tax,” The Tax Lawyer (Winter 2016)

Presentations

  • “FWA Talks: Between Now and Sunset: Tax Planning and the Expiring Provisions under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” 2024 Alliance Fall Forum: Standing Out, Chicago, IL (October 25, 2024) 
  • “Family Office University and You:  Thought Leadership Relevant to Family Office Professionals and Service Providers.”  Alliance Talk recording interview with Tom Livergood, President of The Family Wealth Alliance (May 21, 2024)
  • “The Good, the Bad and the Unknown:  Exploring the Corporate Transparency Act,”  IICLE Estate Planning Short Course 2024 (May 16 and Jun. 4, 2024)
  • “Purpose-ful Estate Planning:  Meaningful Stewardship and Thoughtful Planned Giving,” St. James Cathedral, Chicago, Illinois (May 5, 2024)
  • “The ‘Ful-ness’ of Communal Legacy:  Meaningful Stewardship and Thoughtful Planned Giving,” The Westminster Society of The Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, Illinois (Feb. 21, 2024)
  • “Religious Implications in Estate Planning,” Chicago Bar Association Trust Law Committee Meeting (Dec. 11, 2023)
  • “Entity Disclosure and You: The Purpose, Scope and Effect of the Corporate Transparency Act,” Greater North Shore Estate & Financial Planning Council (GNSE&FPC), Conference (Sep. 20, 2023)
  • “Real Property, Closely Held Business Interests and Special Assets,” Illinois Institute for Continuing Education (IICLE), Post-Death Administration of Trusts & Estates, Conference (Sep. 11, 2023)
  • “Elevating Women in Family Wealth,” Family Wealth Alliance 2023 Summer Event (Jul. 20, 2023)
  • “Incapacity?!? How Do You Plan for That?” Financial Executive Circle Conference (Mar. 30, 2023)
  • “Keeping the Faith in Estate Planning – What Your Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Clients May Want Included in Their Plans,” Chicago Estate Planning Council (CEPC) Virtual Workshop (Oct. 27, 2022)
  • “Federal Income Taxation of Trusts and Estates,” YLS Estate Planning Committee of the Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois (Oct. 8, 2019)

Recognitions

  • Illinois Rising Star, Illinois Super Lawyers, 2023
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Bankruptcy Law, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (2012)
  • Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (2000)

Celebrating ArentFox Schiff’s Veterans: Christopher Floss on Going From Military Service to Client Service

While attending graduate school in Rome, Italy, Chris joined the US Air Force Reserve as a Chaplain Candidate, serving as a second lieutenant for the duration of his four-year program.

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Perspectives