CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Advisory fees
Asset based	$ 23,929us-gaap_InvestmentAdvisoryFees	$ 20,389us-gaap_InvestmentAdvisoryFees
Performance based	288us-gaap_PerformanceFees	363us-gaap_PerformanceFees
Trust fees	5,150whg_TrustFees	5,028whg_TrustFees
Other, net	241whg_InvestmentIncomeAndLoss	169whg_InvestmentIncomeAndLoss
Total revenues	29,608us-gaap_Revenues	25,949us-gaap_Revenues
EXPENSES:
Employee compensation and benefits	15,309us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense	12,852us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense
Sales and marketing	395us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense	287us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense
Westwood mutual funds	827	652
Information technology	1,037	715
Professional services	2,072us-gaap_ProfessionalFees	1,382us-gaap_ProfessionalFees
General and administrative	1,590us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense	1,448us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Total expenses	21,230us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses	17,336us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses
Income before income taxes	8,378	8,613
Provision for income taxes	2,768us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	3,051us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Net income	5,610us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	5,562us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,388)	(354)
Total comprehensive income	$ 4,222us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 5,208us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.74us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.74us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted	$ 0.71us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.72us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	7,596,223	7,474,415
Diluted	7,861,090	7,751,243
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.50	$ 0.44

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations.

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Amount of fees earned from providing investment advice and research to customers.

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The aggregate amount of expenditures for salaries, wages, profit sharing and incentive compensation, and other employee benefits, including equity-based compensation, and pension and other postretirement benefit expense.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount of revenue earned by the entity based on the investment results achieved. Excludes fees based upon a percentage of the assets under management not performance-related.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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Represents the total of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments and interest and dividend income, including any amortization and accretion (as applicable) of discounts and premiums, earned from (1) investment securities; (2) federal funds; (3) dividend income; or (4) other investments not otherwise specified herein.

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Expenses related to the administration, distribution and marketing of mutual funds.

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Total fees earned from providing trust and custody services.

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