I don't think she didn't file because she couldn't afford it. I think she didn't file because she didn't think it was important, so she prioritized other things. It IS more than a piece of paper and letting things go indefinitely like she has is just lazy. She also lacks understanding about the real legal meaning of being married - if she'd thought about it, she would have realized it needed to be taken care of a long time ago.
OP, it's more than JUST this paternity issue. Do you realize that if you become incapacitated, your husband is the one with the legal right to make decisions for you? If you die suddenly, he gets all your stuff, or gets half of it if you have children, and he could get this even if you were to write a will disinheriting him. You need his permission to make anyone other than him the beneficiary of your life insurance or 401k. Do you see the importance now?
OP, it's more than JUST this paternity issue. Do you realize that if you become incapacitated, your husband is the one with the legal right to make decisions for you? If you die suddenly, he gets all your stuff, or gets half of it if you have children, and he could get this even if you were to write a will disinheriting him. You need his permission to make anyone other than him the beneficiary of your life insurance or 401k. Do you see the importance now?