Readers hoping to buy ProAssurance Corporation ( NYSE:PRA ) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. The ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date, which is the cut-off date for shareholders to be present on the company's books to be eligible for a dividend payment. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. In other words, investors can purchase ProAssurance's shares before the 28th of September in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 13th of October.