Martinez

Cross-appeals have been filed from a judgment in this dissolution action which determined the nature of the parties’ interests in the property of the marriage and awarded spousal support to appellant. Appellant (petitioner below and also cross-respondent in this court) challenges the distribution of marital property, seeks reversal of the denial of attorney fees, and claims the trial court erred by limiting her spousal support award and her right to present additional testimony. Respondent argues in his cross-appeal that certain farm equipment should have been declared his separate *47 property, and seeks an offset or credit for $5,500 expended by appellant after the parties’ separation.

Appellant and respondent were married on March 3, 1969, and separated on February 1, 1981. Two children were born the issue of the marriage: both are still minors. Neither party owned real property at the time of the marriage.

After their marriage, the couple resided in a trailer located on a 21-acre ranch (hereinafter the ranch) owned by respondent’s parents, Frank and Alice Martinez, Sr. (hereinafter individually referred to as Frank and Alice). Wishing to build a home on the…