Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per 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
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Revenues	$ 17,686	$ 18,814	$ 14,294	$ 19,787	$ 16,370	$ 20,252	$ 16,918	$ 20,777	$ 70,581	$ 74,317
Costs and expenses	23,017	16,971	14,253	13,948	22,224	17,379	14,785	14,211	68,189	68,599
Equity income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries	4,447	4,249	2,081	4,467	(5,700)	2,777	3,283	1,871	15,244	2,231
Gain on business combinations			935			155	278		935	433
Gain on debt extinguishment					26,543					26,543
Gain on sale of subsidiaries	705	746			1,813			5	1,451	1,818
Income tax expense (benefit)	195	(59)	5	833	1,655	421	1,024	602	974	3,702
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 attributable to participating securities	(6)	96	29	82	142	25
Net earnings to common stockholders	$ (275)	$ 4,671	$ 1,458	$ 8,283	$ 15,192	$ 2,705	$ 2,428	$ 3,725	$ 14,087	$ 24,037
Basic earnings per share of common stock:
Net earnings (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 earnings per share of common stock:
Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.45	$ 0.14	$ 0.80	$ 1.47	$ 0.26	$ 0.24	$ 0.36	$ 1.35	$ 2.33