Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings per common share
Net earnings	$ (374)	$ 6,897	$ 3,052	$ 9,473	$ 15,147	$ 5,384	$ 4,670	$ 7,840	$ 19,048	$ 33,041
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(93)	2,130	1,565	1,108	(187)	2,654	2,242	4,115	4,710	8,824
Net earnings attributable to FirstCity	(281)	4,767	1,487	8,365	15,334	2,730	2,428	3,725	14,338	24,217
Less: Net earnings allocable to participating securities									251	180
Net earnings to common stockholders	$ (275)	$ 4,671	$ 1,458	$ 8,283	$ 15,192	$ 2,705	$ 2,428	$ 3,725	$ 14,087	$ 24,037
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic									10,333,000	10,283,000
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted									10,408,000	10,304,000
Net earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.45	$ 0.14	$ 0.80	$ 1.48	$ 0.26	$ 0.24	$ 0.36	$ 1.36	$ 2.34
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.45	$ 0.14	$ 0.80	$ 1.47	$ 0.26	$ 0.24	$ 0.36	$ 1.35	$ 2.33
Additional disclosures
Potentially dilutive securities representing common stock excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share (in shares)									555,000	769,000
Restricted stock awards
Earnings per common share
Dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements (in shares)									31,000	8,000
Stock options
Earnings per common share
Dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements (in shares)									44,000	13,000