Ownership, Description of Business, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Investment in receivable portfolios, carrying value	$ 3,166,018	$ 3,328,150	$ 3,283,984	$ 3,211,587	$ 3,137,893
Deferred court costs, net	0		100,172
Other liabilities	136,235		147,436
Accumulated earnings	$ 833,366		888,058
Cumulative Effect, Period Of Adoption, Adjusted Balance
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Investment in receivable portfolios, carrying value		3,328,150	$ 3,328,150
Deferred court costs, net		0
Other liabilities		135,668
Accumulated earnings		843,820
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 | Cumulative Effect, Period Of Adoption, Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Investment in receivable portfolios, carrying value		44,166
Deferred court costs, net		(100,172)
Other liabilities		(11,768)
Accumulated earnings		$ (44,238)