If you look up dividends, it says a company puts out an ex-dividend date. If you buy the stock before the date, you get the dividends. If you buy it on or after, you don't, the other guy does. But that is for companies already paying out dividends. I, would bet, either it won't be right away, dividends are involved. Or if they are, it's up to him, and would be any shares owned at the time, would be eligible. Jmo.