Cheriton

This is a marital dissolution action. At issue on appeal are child support, spousal support, and attorneys’ fees. Because the trial court erred in setting support and in denying fees, we reverse and remand.

*280 Facts and Procedural History

Appellant Iris M. Fraser (Iris) and respondent David R. Cheriton (David) were married in February 1980. 1 They have four children, all bom between 1980 and 1988.

Ms performs and teaches music. David is a professor of computer science at Stanford University. David is also a researcher and an inventor. In addition, he works as a consultant to Cisco Systems, Inc. David’s business relationship with Cisco began when he and a partner sold Cisco their business, Granite Systems, Inc. As a result of his work with Cisco, David received a substantial number of vested Cisco stock options, valued at more than $45 million as of the time of Mai.

*281 Ms and David initially separated in 1986, but they reconciled in 1988. At the time of their reconciliation, the parties entered into a postnuptial agreement (the agreement). The agreement defined the parties’ property rights. For the most part, future property acquisitions and earnings would…