Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 item	Mar. 31, 2012 item
Segment Reporting
Number of major business segments	2	2
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	$ 10,074	$ 18,687
Costs and expenses	(13,031)	(13,062)
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	799	4,467
Income tax (expense) benefit	75	(832)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(536)	(1,108)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(2,619)	8,152
Income from discontinued operations, net of provision for income taxes of $1 and $1, respectively	111	213
Net earnings (loss) attributable to FirstCity	(2,508)	8,365
Portfolio Asset Acquisition and Resolution
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	5,687	16,074
Costs and expenses	(6,562)	(8,275)
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	960	4,532
Income tax (expense) benefit	24	(761)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(302)	(953)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(193)	10,617
Income from discontinued operations, net of provision for income taxes of $1 and $1, respectively	111	213
Net earnings (loss) attributable to FirstCity	(82)	10,830
Special Situations Platform
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	4,267	2,528
Costs and expenses	(3,638)	(1,873)
Equity income from unconsolidated subsidiaries	(161)	(65)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(4)	(20)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(234)	(155)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	230	415
Net earnings (loss) attributable to FirstCity	230	415
Special Situations Platform | Minimum
Segment reporting
Investments repayment or exit period	12 months
Special Situations Platform | Maximum
Segment reporting
Investments repayment or exit period	60 months
Corporate and Other
Summarized information by segment
Revenues	120	85
Costs and expenses	(2,831)	(2,914)
Income tax (expense) benefit	55	(51)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(2,656)	(2,880)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to FirstCity	$ (2,656)	$ (2,880)