Investments in Hallwood Energy, L.P. (Details Textual) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				1 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Hallwood Energy L P [Member]	Aug. 31, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member]	May 09, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member]	May 04, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member]	Sep. 30, 2008 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Equity Support Agreement [Member]	May 31, 2008 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Equity Support Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Equity Support Agreement [Member]	May 04, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Equity Support Agreement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Scenario Previously Reported [Member] Equity Support Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Minimum [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Maximum [Member] Equity Support Agreement [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Hall Phoenix Inwood Ltd [Member]	Feb. 15, 2012 Hallwood Energy L P [Member] Plaintiffs [Member]
Investments in Hallwood Energy, L.P. (Textual) [Abstract]
Investment in Hallwood Energy					$ 75,401,000
Compensatory and exemplary damages															200,000,000
Damages awarded value					18,700,000
Litigation reserve in the adversary proceeding					2,079,000	7,500,000
Additional charge	13,200,000	7,500,000		13,200,000
Litigation charges	2,079,000	7,500,000	9,300,000	23,901,000	2,079,000	10,701,000								3,201,000
Payments for legal settlements					101,000		101,000	17,947,000	3,774,000								1,800,000	1,800,000
Attorney Fees	4,000,000				4,000,000
Loan for acquisition											2,961,000
Commitments												5,000,000				12,500,000
Contribution related to commitments												2,039,000
Additional Commitment																7,500,000
Loans to Hallwood Energy										4,300,000
Additional equity loss										3,201,000
Contingent commitments paid													$ 3,201,000