Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
AIG Entities
Commitments and contingencies
Ownership percentage in Bidmex Holding	85.00%
SMIP
Commitments and contingencies
Ownership percentage in Bidmex Holding	15.00%
Indemnification of damages as to any matter that was not related to a particular portfolio entity (as a percent)	20.00%
CFSI
Commitments and contingencies
Indemnification of damages as to any matter that was not related to a particular portfolio entity (as a percent)	80.00%
Investment Agreement | VIP
Commitments and contingencies
Consecutive automatic extension period for the investment agreement	1 year
Investment Agreement | VIP | Minimum
Commitments and contingencies
Aggregate amount of proposed investment triggering first right of refusal terms	3,000,000
Investment Agreement | Affiliate of FirstCity Diversified | Minimum
Commitments and contingencies
Proposed ownership in the acquired entity by an affiliate of FC Diversified (as a percent)	5.00%
Investment Agreement | Affiliate of FirstCity Diversified | Maximum
Commitments and contingencies
Proposed ownership in the acquired entity by an affiliate of FC Diversified (as a percent)	25.00%
Indemnification Obligation Commitments
Commitments and contingencies
Number of Mexican portfolio entities sold	11
Threshold aggregate amount payable for making payment under indemnity provisions, for loan portfolio transaction	25,000
Threshold aggregate amount payable for making payment under indemnity provisions, for Mexican portfolio entities transaction	250,000