/* ==========================================================================
   Final Expense Guide — Design System
   Senior-friendly, high-contrast, trustworthy editorial design.
   ========================================================================== */

:root{
  --navy: #163651;
  --navy-dark: #0f2637;
  --teal: #1b7a72;
  --teal-light: #e6f2f1;
  --gold: #c8912a;
  --gold-dark: #a8741a;
  --ink: #1c2733;
  --ink-soft: #3d4a58;
  --paper: #ffffff;
  --paper-alt: #f6f8f9;
  --border: #e1e6ea;
  --success-bg: #eef7ee;
  --success-border: #bfe0bf;
  --warn-bg: #fdf6e8;
  --warn-border: #eed9a8;
  --max: 1160px;
  --radius: 10px;
  --shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(15,38,55,0.06);
  --shadow-lg: 0 12px 32px rgba(15,38,55,0.14);
  --font-body: "Source Sans 3", "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif;
  --font-head: "Merriweather", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;
}

*,*::before,*::after{box-sizing:border-box;}
html{scroll-behavior:smooth;overflow-x:hidden;}
body{
  margin:0;
  font-family:var(--font-body);
  font-size:18px;
  line-height:1.65;
  color:var(--ink);
  background:var(--paper);
  -webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased;
  overflow-x:hidden;
  width:100%;
}
img{max-width:100%;display:block;}
a{color:var(--teal);text-decoration:none;}
a:hover{text-decoration:underline;}
h1,h2,h3,h4{
  font-family:var(--font-head);
  color:var(--navy);
  line-height:1.28;
  font-weight:700;
  margin:0 0 .6em;
}
h1{font-size:2.3rem;}
h2{font-size:1.6rem;margin-top:1.8em;}
h3{font-size:1.25rem;margin-top:1.4em;}
p{margin:0 0 1.15em;}
ul,ol{margin:0 0 1.15em;padding-left:1.4em;}
li{margin-bottom:.5em;}
.container{max-width:var(--max);margin:0 auto;padding:0 24px;}
.visually-hidden{position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;}
.skip-link{position:absolute;left:-9999px;top:0;background:var(--gold);color:var(--navy-dark);padding:12px 18px;font-weight:700;z-index:999;border-radius:0 0 8px 0;}
.skip-link:focus{left:0;}

/* ---------- Top utility bar ---------- */
.top-bar{background:var(--navy-dark);color:#cfe0e8;font-size:.85rem;padding:7px 0;}
.top-bar .container{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;gap:12px;flex-wrap:wrap;}
.top-bar a{color:#cfe0e8;}

/* ---------- Header ---------- */
.site-header{background:var(--paper);border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);position:sticky;top:0;z-index:100;box-shadow:var(--shadow);}
.site-header .container{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;padding-top:14px;padding-bottom:14px;gap:20px;}
.brand{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;color:var(--navy);font-family:var(--font-head);font-weight:700;font-size:1.35rem;}
.brand:hover{text-decoration:none;}
.brand svg{flex:none;}
.brand-text small{display:block;font-family:var(--font-body);font-weight:400;font-size:.62rem;letter-spacing:.06em;color:var(--ink-soft);text-transform:uppercase;}

.main-nav{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:2px;}
.main-nav ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;display:flex;gap:2px;flex-wrap:wrap;}
.main-nav a{color:var(--ink);font-weight:600;font-size:.92rem;padding:10px 12px;border-radius:6px;display:inline-block;}
.main-nav a:hover,.main-nav a:focus{background:var(--teal-light);color:var(--teal);text-decoration:none;}
.nav-toggle{display:none;background:none;border:2px solid var(--navy);border-radius:8px;padding:9px 11px;cursor:pointer;}
.nav-toggle svg{display:block;}

@media (max-width:960px){
  .nav-toggle{display:inline-flex;}
  .main-nav{position:fixed;inset:0 0 0 auto;width:min(320px,86vw);background:var(--paper);flex-direction:column;align-items:stretch;transform:translateX(100%);transition:transform .25s ease;box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg);overflow-y:auto;padding:70px 0 30px;}
  .main-nav.open{transform:translateX(0);}
  .main-nav ul{flex-direction:column;gap:0;padding:0 16px;}
  .main-nav a{display:block;padding:14px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);}
  .nav-scrim{display:none;position:fixed;inset:0;background:rgba(15,38,55,.45);z-index:98;}
  .nav-scrim.open{display:block;}
}

/* ---------- Buttons ---------- */
.btn{display:inline-block;font-weight:700;padding:13px 24px;border-radius:8px;font-size:1rem;border:2px solid transparent;cursor:pointer;}
.btn-primary{background:var(--gold);color:var(--navy-dark);}
.btn-primary:hover{background:var(--gold-dark);text-decoration:none;color:#fff;}
.btn-outline{background:transparent;border-color:var(--paper);color:var(--paper);}
.btn-outline:hover{background:var(--paper);color:var(--navy);text-decoration:none;}
.btn-ghost{background:transparent;border-color:var(--navy);color:var(--navy);}
.btn-ghost:hover{background:var(--navy);color:#fff;text-decoration:none;}

/* ---------- Hero ---------- */
.hero{background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--navy) 0%,var(--navy-dark) 100%);color:#fff;padding:64px 0 76px;position:relative;overflow:hidden;}
.hero::after{content:"";position:absolute;right:-120px;top:-120px;width:420px;height:420px;border-radius:50%;background:radial-gradient(circle,rgba(200,145,42,.18),transparent 70%);}
.hero-illus{position:absolute;right:-40px;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%);width:380px;height:380px;opacity:.55;pointer-events:none;z-index:0;}
@media (max-width:1200px){.hero-illus{width:280px;height:280px;right:-60px;}}
@media (max-width:960px){.hero-illus{display:none;}}
.hero-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.15fr .85fr;gap:48px;align-items:center;position:relative;z-index:1;}
.hero h1{color:#fff;font-size:2.6rem;margin-bottom:.5em;}
.hero p.lead{font-size:1.2rem;color:#d7e4ea;max-width:52ch;}
.hero-actions{display:flex;gap:14px;margin-top:28px;flex-wrap:wrap;}
.trust-row{display:flex;gap:22px;margin-top:34px;flex-wrap:wrap;font-size:.88rem;color:#c3d5de;}
.trust-row span{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;}
@media (max-width:860px){.hero-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}.hero h1{font-size:2rem;}}

.hero-card{background:#fff;border-radius:var(--radius);padding:26px;box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg);color:var(--ink);}
.hero-card h2{font-size:1.15rem;margin-top:0;}
.hero-card .field{margin-bottom:14px;}
.hero-card label{display:block;font-weight:700;font-size:.85rem;margin-bottom:6px;color:var(--navy);}
.hero-card select,.hero-card input{width:100%;padding:11px 12px;border:1.5px solid var(--border);border-radius:7px;font-size:1rem;font-family:inherit;}
.estimate-result{margin-top:16px;padding:14px 16px;background:var(--teal-light);border-radius:8px;font-size:.92rem;color:var(--navy);display:none;}
.estimate-result.show{display:block;}
.estimate-result strong{font-size:1.3rem;display:block;color:var(--teal);}

/* ---------- Sections ---------- */
section{padding:56px 0;}
.section-alt{background:var(--paper-alt);}
.section-head{max-width:70ch;margin-bottom:36px;}
.section-head p{color:var(--ink-soft);font-size:1.08rem;}
.eyebrow{display:inline-block;color:var(--teal);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.07em;font-size:.78rem;margin-bottom:10px;}

/* Category grid */
.cat-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:20px;}
@media (max-width:960px){.cat-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}
@media (max-width:560px){.cat-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
.cat-card{background:var(--paper);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:24px 20px;box-shadow:var(--shadow);transition:transform .15s ease, box-shadow .15s ease;}
.cat-card:hover{transform:translateY(-3px);box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg);}
.cat-card .icon{width:44px;height:44px;border-radius:9px;background:var(--teal-light);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:14px;color:var(--teal);}
.cat-card h3{margin:0 0 8px;font-size:1.08rem;}
.cat-card p{font-size:.92rem;color:var(--ink-soft);margin-bottom:10px;}
.cat-card a.card-link{font-weight:700;font-size:.9rem;}

/* Article list */
.article-list{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:24px;}
@media (max-width:900px){.article-list{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}
@media (max-width:620px){.article-list{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}
.article-card{background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);overflow:hidden;box-shadow:var(--shadow);display:flex;flex-direction:column;}
.article-card .tag{display:inline-block;font-size:.72rem;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.05em;color:var(--teal);background:var(--teal-light);padding:4px 10px;border-radius:20px;margin:18px 20px 0;align-self:flex-start;}
.article-card h3{margin:12px 20px 6px;font-size:1.05rem;}
.article-card p{margin:0 20px 18px;font-size:.9rem;color:var(--ink-soft);flex-grow:1;}
.article-card .card-link{margin:0 20px 20px;font-weight:700;font-size:.88rem;}

/* Stat strip */
.stat-strip{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:20px;text-align:center;}
@media (max-width:760px){.stat-strip{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}
.stat-strip .stat b{display:block;font-family:var(--font-head);font-size:2rem;color:var(--gold-dark);}
.stat-strip .stat span{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--ink-soft);}

/* Breadcrumbs */
.breadcrumbs{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--ink-soft);padding:14px 0;}
.breadcrumbs a{color:var(--ink-soft);}
.breadcrumbs .sep{margin:0 6px;color:#aeb9c2;}
.breadcrumbs .current{color:var(--navy);font-weight:600;}

/* Category hero */
.cat-hero{background:var(--teal-light);padding:40px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);overflow:hidden;}
.cat-hero h1{margin-bottom:.3em;}
.cat-hero p{color:var(--ink-soft);max-width:70ch;font-size:1.05rem;margin:0;}
.cat-hero-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) 220px;gap:32px;align-items:center;}
.cat-hero-illus{width:100%;max-width:220px;justify-self:end;}
@media (max-width:760px){.cat-hero-grid{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr);}.cat-hero-illus{display:none;}}

/* ---------- Article page layout ---------- */
.article-shell{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr) 300px;gap:48px;padding:40px 0 70px;align-items:start;}
.article-shell>*{min-width:0;}
@media (max-width:960px){.article-shell{grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr);}}

.article-head{margin-bottom:8px;}
.article-meta{display:flex;gap:14px;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;font-size:.85rem;color:var(--ink-soft);margin-bottom:18px;}
.author-chip{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;}
.author-avatar{width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--navy);color:#fff;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-weight:700;font-size:.8rem;font-family:var(--font-head);}
.reviewed-badge{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;background:var(--success-bg);border:1px solid var(--success-border);color:#2c5c2c;padding:3px 10px;border-radius:20px;font-weight:600;font-size:.78rem;}

article.content h2{border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:1.1em;}
article.content h2:first-of-type{border-top:none;padding-top:0;}
article.content table,.legal-page table{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:1.4em 0;font-size:.94rem;display:block;overflow-x:auto;max-width:100%;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch;}
article.content table thead,article.content table tbody,.legal-page table thead,.legal-page table tbody{display:table;width:100%;min-width:480px;}
article.content th,article.content td,.legal-page th,.legal-page td{border:1px solid var(--border);padding:10px 12px;text-align:left;}
article.content th,.legal-page th{background:var(--paper-alt);font-family:var(--font-head);color:var(--navy);}
article.content tr:nth-child(even) td,.legal-page tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#fafbfc;}
.callout{background:var(--teal-light);border-left:4px solid var(--teal);padding:18px 20px;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;margin:1.6em 0;}
.callout.warn{background:var(--warn-bg);border-left-color:var(--gold-dark);}
.callout p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}
.key-takeaways{background:var(--paper-alt);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:22px 24px;margin:1.6em 0;}
.key-takeaways h2{margin-top:0;border:none;padding-top:0;font-size:1.15rem;}
.key-takeaways ul{margin-bottom:0;}
.faq-item{border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);padding:16px 0;}
.faq-item h3{margin:0 0 6px;font-size:1.05rem;}
.faq-item p{margin-bottom:0;color:var(--ink-soft);}

.chart-figure{margin:1.8em 0;background:var(--paper-alt);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:20px 20px 8px;}
.chart-figure svg{width:100%;height:auto;display:block;}
.chart-figure figcaption{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--ink-soft);text-align:center;padding:10px 0 4px;}

.disclaimer-inline{font-size:.85rem;color:var(--ink-soft);background:var(--paper-alt);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:8px;padding:14px 16px;margin:2em 0;}

/* Ad slots */
.ad-slot{background:var(--paper-alt);border:1px dashed #c3ccd3;border-radius:8px;text-align:center;padding:14px;margin:2em 0;color:#8b98a3;font-size:.75rem;letter-spacing:.04em;text-transform:uppercase;}
.ad-slot.ad-sidebar{min-height:600px;position:sticky;top:90px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}
.ad-slot.ad-leaderboard{min-height:100px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}
.ad-slot.ad-infeed{min-height:120px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;}

/* Sidebar */
.sidebar-box{background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:22px;margin-bottom:24px;box-shadow:var(--shadow);}
.sidebar-box h4{margin-top:0;font-size:1rem;}
.sidebar-box ul{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;}
.sidebar-box ul li{margin-bottom:10px;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--border);font-size:.92rem;}
.sidebar-box ul li:last-child{border-bottom:none;margin-bottom:0;padding-bottom:0;}
.sidebar-box.cta{background:var(--navy);color:#fff;text-align:center;}
.sidebar-box.cta h4{color:#fff;}
.sidebar-box.cta p{color:#cfe0e8;font-size:.9rem;}

/* Related articles */
.related{border-top:1px solid var(--border);margin-top:44px;padding-top:36px;}

/* Author bio box */
.author-box{display:flex;gap:18px;background:var(--paper-alt);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:22px;margin-top:2.4em;align-items:flex-start;}
.author-box .author-avatar{width:56px;height:56px;font-size:1.2rem;flex:none;}
.author-box h4{margin:0 0 4px;}
.author-box p{margin:0;font-size:.92rem;color:var(--ink-soft);}

/* ---------- CTA band ---------- */
.cta-band{background:linear-gradient(120deg,var(--teal) 0%,var(--navy) 100%);color:#fff;padding:52px 0;text-align:center;}
.cta-band h2{color:#fff;}
.cta-band p{color:#dcecec;max-width:60ch;margin:0 auto 26px;}

/* ---------- Footer ---------- */
.site-footer{background:var(--navy-dark);color:#b9c8d1;padding:52px 0 24px;font-size:.9rem;}
.footer-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.4fr 1fr 1fr 1fr;gap:32px;margin-bottom:36px;}
@media (max-width:760px){.footer-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;}}
.footer-grid h4{color:#fff;font-family:var(--font-body);font-size:.85rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin-bottom:14px;}
.footer-grid ul{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;}
.footer-grid li{margin-bottom:9px;}
.footer-grid a{color:#b9c8d1;}
.footer-grid a:hover{color:#fff;}
.footer-brand{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;color:#fff;font-family:var(--font-head);font-weight:700;font-size:1.2rem;margin-bottom:12px;}
.footer-disclaimer{border-top:1px solid #223e51;padding-top:24px;font-size:.8rem;color:#8fa2ae;line-height:1.6;}
.footer-bottom{border-top:1px solid #223e51;margin-top:24px;padding-top:20px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;font-size:.8rem;color:#8fa2ae;}

/* Utility */
.mt-0{margin-top:0;}
.text-center{text-align:center;}
.na-list{list-style:none;padding:0;}
.na-list li{padding-left:1.6em;position:relative;}
.na-list li::before{content:"✓";position:absolute;left:0;color:var(--teal);font-weight:700;}
.state-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr);gap:10px;}
@media (max-width:760px){.state-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);}}
@media (max-width:480px){.state-grid{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}
.state-grid a{display:block;background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:7px;padding:10px 12px;font-size:.88rem;font-weight:600;color:var(--ink);text-align:center;}
.state-grid a:hover{border-color:var(--teal);color:var(--teal);text-decoration:none;}
.state-grid a.soon{color:#aab5bd;cursor:default;}
.state-grid a.soon:hover{border-color:var(--border);color:#aab5bd;}
.cat-grid>*,.article-list>*,.footer-grid>*,.stat-strip>*,.state-grid>*{min-width:0;}

/* Cookie consent banner */
.cookie-banner{position:fixed;left:16px;right:16px;bottom:16px;max-width:640px;margin:0 auto;background:var(--navy-dark);color:#e4edf1;border-radius:12px;padding:20px 22px;box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg);z-index:200;display:none;font-size:.92rem;line-height:1.55;}
.cookie-banner.show{display:block;}
.cookie-banner p{margin:0 0 14px;color:#cfe0e8;}
.cookie-banner a{color:#fff;text-decoration:underline;}
.cookie-banner-actions{display:flex;gap:10px;flex-wrap:wrap;}
.cookie-banner .btn-primary{padding:9px 18px;font-size:.9rem;}
.cookie-banner .btn-outline2{background:transparent;border:1.5px solid #4a6274;color:#dbe7ec;padding:9px 18px;font-size:.9rem;border-radius:8px;font-weight:700;cursor:pointer;}
.cookie-banner .btn-outline2:hover{border-color:#fff;color:#fff;}

/* Legal pages */
.legal-page{max-width:800px;margin:0 auto;padding:44px 0 70px;}
.legal-page h1{margin-bottom:.2em;}
.legal-page .updated{color:var(--ink-soft);font-size:.88rem;margin-bottom:2em;}
.legal-page h2{border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:1em;}
.legal-page h2:first-of-type{border-top:none;padding-top:0;}
.legal-page ul{margin-bottom:1.2em;}

/* 404 page */
.error-page{max-width:640px;margin:0 auto;padding:90px 24px;text-align:center;}
.error-page .code{font-family:var(--font-head);font-size:5rem;color:var(--teal-light);font-weight:900;line-height:1;}
.error-page h1{margin-top:0;}

/* About / Contact */
.founder-box{display:flex;gap:22px;align-items:flex-start;background:var(--paper-alt);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:26px;margin:2em 0;}
.founder-avatar{width:74px;height:74px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--navy);color:#fff;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-family:var(--font-head);font-size:1.6rem;font-weight:700;flex:none;}
.contact-card{background:#fff;border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius);padding:26px;box-shadow:var(--shadow);margin-bottom:20px;}
.contact-card h3{margin-top:0;font-size:1.05rem;}