Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2011
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Reversal of deferred tax asset, valuation allowance		$ 403,000
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	177,300			177,300		576,900
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	403,600			403,600
Income tax benefit	(402,321)		953	(403,845)	(1,452)
Unrecognized tax benefits	12,300			12,300		36,700
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate if recognized	5,500			5,500
Unrecognized tax benefits reductions from various taxing authorities	3,800			3,800
Decreases due to settlements with taxing authorities	24,400
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Before Net Increases Decreases Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits				631.17%
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations				632.73%
Income tax penalties and interest accrued	20,700			20,700		20,000
Income tax penalties and interest accrued recorded during the period	1,700			2,000
Decrease in accrued interest and penalties	1,100			1,300
Lennar Homebuilding [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	408,500			408,500
Lennar Financial Services [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 4,900			$ 4,900