Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 item	Sep. 30, 2011 item
Segment Reporting
Number of major business segments			2	2
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	$ 18,814	$ 20,252	$ 52,895	$ 57,947
Costs and expenses	(16,971)	(17,379)	(45,172)	(46,375)
Equity income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries	4,249	2,777	10,797	7,931
Gain on business combinations		155	935	433
Gain on sale of subsidiaries	746		746	5
Income tax (expense) benefit	59	(421)	(779)	(2,047)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,130)	(2,654)	(4,803)	(9,011)
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	4,767	2,730	14,619	8,883
Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	14,193	17,287	43,229	50,383
Costs and expenses	(9,907)	(12,988)	(28,499)	(34,555)
Equity income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,767	1,401	9,089	4,781
Gain on business combinations				278
Gain on sale of subsidiaries	746		746	5
Income tax (expense) benefit	281	(405)	(427)	(2,187)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,713)	(2,159)	(3,850)	(7,980)
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	6,367	3,136	20,288	10,725
Special Situations Platform
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	4,503	2,905	9,363	7,424
Costs and expenses	(4,538)	(2,432)	(8,967)	(6,063)
Equity income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries	1,482	1,376	1,708	3,150
Gain on business combinations		155	935	155
Income tax (expense) benefit	(172)	(133)	(201)	(166)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(417)	(495)	(953)	(1,031)
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	858	1,376	1,885	3,469
Special Situations Platform | Minimum
Segment reporting
Investments repayment or exit period (in months)			12 months
Special Situations Platform | Maximum
Segment reporting
Investments repayment or exit period (in months)			60 months
Corporate and Other
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	118	60	303	140
Costs and expenses	(2,526)	(1,959)	(7,706)	(5,757)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(50)	117	(151)	306
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	$ (2,458)	$ (1,782)	$ (7,554)	$ (5,311)