<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>452</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>516</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>139</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>10</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Cover Page</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CoverPage</Role>
      <ShortName>Cover Page</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT/EQUITY (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersDeficitEquityUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT/EQUITY (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Description of Business</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/PrinciplesOfConsolidationAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DeconsolidationOfSubsidiaries</Role>
      <ShortName>Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcy</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/LifeSettlementsLifeInsurancePolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnership</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/WhiteEagleRevolvingCreditFacility</Role>
      <ShortName>White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - 8.50% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A850SeniorUnsecuredConvertibleNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>8.50% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - 5.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A50SeniorUnsecuredConvertibleNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>5.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - 8.5% Senior Secured Notes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A85SeniorSecuredNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>8.5% Senior Secured Notes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit/Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockholdersDeficitEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit/Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/PrinciplesOfConsolidationAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DeconsolidationOfSubsidiariesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DeconsolidationOfSubsidiaries</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcyTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcy</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntities</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/LifeSettlementsLifeInsurancePoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/WhiteEagleRevolvingCreditFacilityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - Description of Business (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DescriptionOfBusinessDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Description of Business (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402402 - Disclosure - Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/PrinciplesOfConsolidationAndBasisOfPresentationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/PrinciplesOfConsolidationAndBasisOfPresentationPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of Adoption of ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) on Consolidated Financial Statements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncementsImpactOfAdoptionOfAsu201602LeasesTopic842OnConsolidatedFinancialStatementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of Adoption of ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) on Consolidated Financial Statements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DeconsolidationOfSubsidiariesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries - Fair Value of Investment in Lamington (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DeconsolidationOfSubsidiariesFairValueOfInvestmentInLamingtonDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries - Fair Value of Investment in Lamington (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries - Company's Investment in Deconsolidated Entities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DeconsolidationOfSubsidiariesCompanysInvestmentInDeconsolidatedEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deconsolidation of Subsidiaries - Company's Investment in Deconsolidated Entities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Condensed and Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcyCondensedAndConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Condensed and Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcyCondensedAndConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Condensed and Consolidated Statements of Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405404 - Disclosure - Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Condensed and Consolidated Cash Flow Statements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcyCondensedAndConsolidatedCashFlowStatementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Condensed and Consolidated Cash Flow Statements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405405 - Disclosure - Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcyNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed and Consolidated Financial Statements for Entities in Bankruptcy - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CondensedAndConsolidatedFinancialStatementsForEntitiesInBankruptcyTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Consolidated Assets and Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntitiesConsolidatedAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Consolidated Assets and Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/ConsolidationOfVariableInterestEntitiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/EarningsPerShareReconciliationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Common Stock Options Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockBasedCompensationCommonStockOptionsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation - Common Stock Options Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Activity of Unvested Shares of Restricted Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockBasedCompensationActivityOfUnvestedSharesOfRestrictedStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation - Activity of Unvested Shares of Restricted Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies) - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/LifeSettlementsLifeInsurancePoliciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies) - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/LifeSettlementsLifeInsurancePoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies) - Schedule of Life Settlements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/LifeSettlementsLifeInsurancePoliciesScheduleOfLifeSettlementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Life Settlements (Life Insurance Policies) - Schedule of Life Settlements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/LifeSettlementsLifeInsurancePoliciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Funds in the Premium/Expense Reserve Account (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipFundsInPremiumExpenseReserveAccountDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Funds in the Premium/Expense Reserve Account (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Reconciliation of Premium/Expenses Reserve Account (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipReconciliationOfPremiumExpensesReserveAccountDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Reconciliation of Premium/Expenses Reserve Account (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411405 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Funds on Deposit in the Collection Account (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipFundsOnDepositInCollectionAccountDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Funds on Deposit in the Collection Account (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411406 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Reconciliation of Funds Received And Distributions From Collection Account (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipReconciliationOfFundsReceivedAndDistributionsFromCollectionAccountDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Reconciliation of Funds Received And Distributions From Collection Account (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411407 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Reconciliation of Receivable For Maturity of Life Settlements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipReconciliationOfReceivableForMaturityOfLifeSettlementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Reconciliation of Receivable For Maturity of Life Settlements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411408 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Remaining Life Expectancy and Face Value of Life Settlements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipRemainingLifeExpectancyAndFaceValueOfLifeSettlementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Remaining Life Expectancy and Face Value of Life Settlements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411409 - Disclosure - Investment in Limited Partnership - Estimated Premiums to be Paid on Life Settlement Contracts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/InvestmentInLimitedPartnershipEstimatedPremiumsToBePaidOnLifeSettlementContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investment in Limited Partnership - Estimated Premiums to be Paid on Life Settlement Contracts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/WhiteEagleRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Payouts based on LTV (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/WhiteEagleRevolvingCreditFacilityPayoutsBasedOnLtvDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Payouts based on LTV (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Reconciliation of Proceeds Distributed (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/WhiteEagleRevolvingCreditFacilityReconciliationOfProceedsDistributedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Reconciliation of Proceeds Distributed (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Advances For Premium Payments and Fees (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/WhiteEagleRevolvingCreditFacilityAdvancesForPremiumPaymentsAndFeesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>White Eagle Revolving Credit Facility - Advances For Premium Payments and Fees (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413401 - Disclosure - 8.50% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A850SeniorUnsecuredConvertibleNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>8.50% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A850SeniorUnsecuredConvertibleNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - 5.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A50SeniorUnsecuredConvertibleNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>5.0% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A50SeniorUnsecuredConvertibleNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - 8.5% Senior Secured Notes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A85SeniorSecuredNotesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>8.5% Senior Secured Notes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/A85SeniorSecuredNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsQuantitativeInformationAboutLevel3FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416405 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Discount Rate Used to Estimate Fair Value of Investment in Partnership (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDiscountRateUsedToEstimateFairValueOfInvestmentInPartnershipDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Discount Rate Used to Estimate Fair Value of Investment in Partnership (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416406 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value for All Assets Using Material Level of Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsChangesInFairValueForAllAssetsUsingMaterialLevelOfUnobservableLevel3InputsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value for All Assets Using Material Level of Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416407 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value for All Liabilities Using Material Level of Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsChangesInFairValueForAllLiabilitiesUsingMaterialLevelOfUnobservableLevel3InputsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Changes in Fair Value for All Liabilities Using Material Level of Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419401 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Deficit/Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockholdersDeficitEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Deficit/Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/StockholdersDeficitEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="emg-20200531.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420401 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.emergentcapital.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>emg-20200531.xml</File>
    <File>emg-20200531.xsd</File>
    <File>emg-20200531_cal.xml</File>
    <File>emg-20200531_def.xml</File>
    <File>emg-20200531_lab.xml</File>
    <File>emg-20200531_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2020-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
