J.G. Wentworth (JGW) 10-Q 14 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 13, 2014	Nov. 13, 2014
		Common Stock- Class A	Common Stock- Class B
Entity Registrant Name	'J.G. Wentworth Co	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001580185	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	14,923,670	10,680,525
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$76,068		$39,061
Restricted cash and investments	118,020		109,338
VIE finance receivables, at fair market value	4,274,954	[1]	3,818,704	[1]
Other finance receivables, at fair market value	81,504		51,945
VIE finance receivables, net of allowances for losses of $7,426 and $6,443, respectively	114,453	[1]	117,826	[1]
Other finance receivables, net of allowances for losses of $2,031 and $1,899, respectively	18,435		15,166
Notes receivable, at fair market value	'		5,610	[1]
Other receivables, net of allowances for losses of $252 and $243, respectively	12,281		13,529
Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,516 and $4,544, respectively	3,414		3,112
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $19,728 and $17,781, respectively	45,980		47,878
Goodwill	84,993		84,993
Marketable securities	106,490		121,954
Deferred tax assets, net	'		1,830
Other assets	34,980		41,151
Total Assets	4,971,572		4,472,097
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'		'
Accounts payable	7,987		3,903
Accrued expenses	24,639		21,181
Accrued interest	17,113		14,485
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016		70,296
VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings	25,358		41,274
VIE long-term debt	183,310		150,802
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856		3,431,283
Term loan payable	436,433		434,184
Other liabilities	6,965		7,646
Deferred tax liabilities, net	15,688		1,707
Installment obligations payable	106,490		121,954
Total Liabilities	4,730,855		4,298,715
Additional paid-in-capital	94,059		70,236
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	13,805		-5,577
Accumulated other comprehensive income	'		612
Total stockholders' equity including treasury stock	107,864		65,271
Less: treasury stock at cost, 91,949 and 3,929 shares as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.	-139		'
Total stockholders' equity, The J.G. Wentworth Company	107,725		65,271
Non-controlling interests	132,992		108,111
Total Stockholders' Equity	240,717		173,382
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	4,971,572		4,472,097
Common Stock- Class A	'		'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'		'
Common stock	'		'
Class B Common Stock	'		'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'		'
Common stock	'		'
Class C Common Stock	'		'
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'		'
Common stock	'		'
[1]	Pledged as collateral to credit and long-term debt facilities

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
VIE finance receivables, allowances for losses	$7,426	$6,443
Other finance receivables, allowances for losses	2,031	1,899
Other receivables, allowance for losses	252	243
Fixed assets, accumulated depreciation	5,516	4,544
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$19,728	$17,781
Treasury stock at cost, shares	91,949	3,929
Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	14,347,143	11,220,358
Common stock, shares outstanding	14,255,194	11,216,429
Class B Common Stock	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,680,530	14,001,583
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,680,530	13,984,065
Class C Common Stock	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
REVENUES	'	'	'	'
Interest income	$44,644	$45,710	$139,104	$126,293
Unrealized gains on VIE and other finance receivables, long-term debt and derivatives	63,731	50,226	221,359	214,068
Gain (loss) on swap terminations, net	-54	525	-628	351
Servicing, broker, and other fees	1,049	1,156	3,221	3,691
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net	-2,615	5,525	1,741	10,523
Realized gain (loss) on notes receivable, at fair value	'	'	2,098	-1,862
Gain on debt extinguishment	270	'	270	'
Other	-1	-4	-63	-57
Total Revenues	107,024	103,138	367,102	353,007
EXPENSES	'	'	'	'
Advertising	18,416	17,862	52,341	51,665
Interest expense	48,813	54,005	150,743	139,974
Compensation and benefits	11,096	9,100	30,865	32,494
General and administrative	4,858	4,519	13,941	14,881
Professional and consulting	4,520	4,807	13,482	13,906
Debt issuance	2,936	2,583	5,956	5,655
Securitization debt maintenance	1,551	1,543	4,672	4,526
Provision for losses on finance receivables	1,055	1,690	3,273	4,374
Depreciation and amortization	961	1,467	3,163	4,231
Installment obligations expense (income), net	-2,047	6,301	3,567	12,820
Total Expenses	92,159	103,877	282,003	284,526
Income (loss) before income taxes	14,865	-739	85,099	68,481
Provision for income taxes	2,176	146	16,169	1,301
Net Income (Loss)	12,689	-885	68,930	67,180
Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests	8,597	'	49,548	'
Net income attributable to The J.G. Wentworth Company	4,092	'	19,382	'
Common Stock- Class A	'	'	'	'
EXPENSES	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to The J.G. Wentworth Company	$4,092	'	$19,382	'
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	13,095,194	'	12,438,143	'
Diluted (in shares)	13,098,995	'	12,440,327	'
Net income per share attributable to stockholders of Class A common stock of The J.G. Wentworth Company	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.31	'	$1.56	'
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.31	'	$1.56	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$12,689	($885)	$68,930	$67,180
Other comprehensive gain (loss):	'	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) loss included in net income	'	'	-2,098	1,862
Unrealized gains on notes receivable arising during the year	'	3	480	502
Total other comprehensive gain (loss)	'	3	-1,618	2,364
Total comprehensive income (loss)	12,689	-882	67,312	69,544
Less: comprehensive income allocated to non-controlling interests	8,597	'	48,542	'
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The J.G. Wentworth Company	$4,092	($882)	$18,770	$69,544

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock- Class A	Common Stock- Class B	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Non-controlling Interests	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Additional Paid-In-Capital	Treasury Stock
	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	11,216,429	13,984,065	'	'	'	'	3,929
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$173,382,000	'	'	$612,000	$108,111,000	($5,577,000)	$70,236,000	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	68,930,000	'	'	'	49,548,000	19,382,000	'	'
Share-based compensation	1,732,000	'	'	'	1,001,000	'	731,000	'
Share-based compensation (in shares)	'	3,268	-180,018	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains on notes receivable arising during the period	480,000	'	'	191,000	289,000	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-2,098,000	'	'	-803,000	-1,295,000	'	'	'
Exchange of JGW LLC Common Interests into Class A common stock	'	'	'	'	-23,418,000	'	23,418,000	'
Exchange of JGW LLC Common Interests into Class A common stock (in shares)	'	3,123,517	-3,123,517	'	'	'	'	'
Equity financing costs	-792,000	'	'	'	-466,000	'	-326,000	'
Repurchase of Class A common stock	-917,000	-900,000	'	'	-778,000	'	'	-139,000
Repurchase of Class A common stock (in shares)	'	-88,020	'	'	'	'	'	88,020
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	14,255,194	10,680,530	'	'	'	'	91,949
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$240,717,000	'	'	'	$132,992,000	$13,805,000	$94,059,000	($139,000)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$68,930	$67,180
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Provision for losses on finance and other receivables	3,273	4,374
Depreciation	1,215	1,589
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	69	'
Amortization of finance receivables acquisition costs	355	8
Amortization of intangibles	1,948	2,642
Amortization of debt issuance costs	5,911	3,173
Change in unrealized gains/losses on finance receivables	-398,987	-197,429
Change in unrealized gains/losses on long-term debt	177,690	23,769
Change in unrealized gains/losses on derivatives	-62	-40,408
(Gain) loss on notes receivable, at fair market value	-2,098	1,862
Net proceeds from sale of finance receivables	'	473
Purchases of finance receivables	-342,347	-315,058
Collections on finance receivables	389,080	359,308
Gain on sale of finance receivables	'	-20
Recoveries of finance receivables	69	1
Accretion of interest income	-138,817	-125,759
Accretion of interest expense	-25,931	-33,094
Gain on debt extinguishment	-270	'
Share-based compensation expense	1,732	1,511
Change in marketable securities, net	-1,741	-10,523
Installment obligations expense, net	3,567	12,820
Change in fair value of life settlement contracts	116	22
Premiums and other costs paid, and proceeds from sale of life settlement contracts	-116	-189
Deferred income taxes	15,811	678
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:	'	'
Restricted cash and investments	-8,682	4,883
Other assets	1,276	-1,965
Other receivables	1,091	-519
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	4,084	-991
Accrued expenses	3,458	6,336
Accrued interest	2,628	1,471
Other liabilities	-681	835
Net cash used in operating activities	-237,429	-233,020
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of intangible assets	-50	-125
Receipts from notes receivable	6,093	2,338
Collections on notes receivable from affiliate	'	5,243
Purchases of fixed assets, net of sales proceeds	-1,586	-2,587
Net cash provided by investing activities	4,457	4,869
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Distributions of member's capital	'	-459,612
Payments of equity financing costs	-792	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-917	'
Issuance of VIE long-term debt	583,782	406,241
Payments for debt issuance costs	-2,767	-19,864
Payments on lease obligations	'	-745
Repayments of long-term debt and derivatives	-293,411	-195,641
Gross proceeds from revolving credit facility	223,834	301,640
Repayments of revolving credit facilities	-239,750	-279,884
Issuance of installment obligations payable	100	2,687
Purchase of marketable securities	-100	-2,687
Repayments of installment obligations payable	-19,131	-14,008
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	19,131	14,008
Repayments under term loan	'	-144,941
Net proceeds from new term loan	'	557,175
Net cash provided by financing activities	269,979	164,369
Net increase (decrease) in cash	37,007	-63,782
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	39,061	103,137
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	76,068	39,355
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	167,686	169,693
Capital distributions	'	459,612
Supplemental disclosure of noncash items:	'	'
Non-cash asset distribution of member's capital	'	$16,265

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen

Background and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Background and Basis of Presentation	'
Background and Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Background and Basis of Presentation
	Organization and Description of Business Activities
	The J.G. Wentworth Company, a Delaware holding company incorporated on June 21, 2013, provides liquidity to individuals with financial assets such as structured settlements, annuities, and lottery winnings by either purchasing these financial assets for a lump-sum payment, issuing installment obligations payable over time, or serving as a broker to other purchasers of those financial assets. The Company also provides pre-settlement funding to people with pending personal injury claims.
	The Company, operating through its subsidiaries and affiliates, has its principal office in Radnor, Pennsylvania. The Company engages in warehousing and subsequent resale or securitization of these various financial assets. The Company operates through its managing membership interest in JGW LLC, the Company’s sole operating asset. JGW LLC is a minority-owned, controlled and consolidated subsidiary of the Company.  JGW LLC’s sole asset is its membership interest in J.G. Wentworth, LLC.
	Prior to the completion of the Company’s reorganization and IPO on November 14, 2013, described in Note 2, JGW LLC was primarily owned by its members.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and do not include all of the information required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
	The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The most significant balance sheet accounts that could be affected by such estimates are variable interest entity (“VIE”) and other finance receivables, at fair market value, VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value, VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value, intangible assets and goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2013 audited consolidated financial statements that are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including those entities that are considered VIEs, and where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). Excluded from the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company are those entities that are considered VIEs and where the Company has been deemed not to be the primary beneficiary according to ASC 810.
	As indicated above, the Company operates and controls all of the businesses and affairs of JGW LLC and its subsidiaries. As such, JGW LLC meets the definition of a VIE under ASC 810.  Further, the Company is the primary beneficiary of JGW LLC as a result of its control over JGW LLC. As the primary beneficiary of JGW LLC, the Company consolidates the financial results of JGW LLC and records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in JGW LLC not owned by the Company. The Company’s and the non-controlling Common Interestholders’ economic interest in JGW LLC was 48.7% and 51.3%, respectively, as of September 30, 2014.  The Company’s and the non-controlling Common Interestholders’ economic interest in JGW LLC was 37.9% and 62.1%, respectively, as of December 31, 2013.
	Net income attributable to the non-controlling interests in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations represents the portion of earnings attributable to the economic interest in JGW LLC held by the non-controlling Common Interestholders. The allocation of net income to the non-controlling interests is based on the weighted average percentage of JGW LLC owned by the non-controlling interests during the reporting period. The Company’s and the non-controlling Common Interestholders’ weighted average economic interests in JGW LLC for the three months ended September 30, 2014 were 44.7% and 55.3%, respectively. The Company’s and the non-controlling Common Interestholders’ weighted average economic interests in JGW LLC for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were 42.2% and 57.8%, respectively. The net income attributable to The J.G. Wentworth Company in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 does not necessarily reflect the Company’s weighted average economic interests in JGW LLC for the respective periods because the majority of the provision for income taxes was specifically attributable to the legal entity The J.G. Wentworth Company, and thus was not allocated to the non-controlling interests. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, $2.6 million and $15.9 million of the $2.2 million and $16.2 million total tax provision, respectively, was specifically attributable to The J.G. Wentworth Company. Refer to Note 15 for a description of the Company’s income taxes.
	Non-controlling interests in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets represents the portion of equity attributable to the non-controlling Common Interests of JGW LLC. The allocation of equity to the non-controlling interests in JGW LLC is based on the percentage owned by the non-controlling Common Interests in the entity.
	All material inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Business_Changes_and_Developme

Business Changes and Developments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Changes and Developments	'
Business Changes and Developments	'
	2. Business Changes and Developments
	Initial Public Offering & Reorganization
	On November 14, 2013, the Company consummated an IPO whereby 11,212,500 shares of Class A common stock were sold to the public for net proceeds of $141.3 million, after payment of underwriting discounts and offering expenses. The 11,212,500 shares sold were inclusive of 1,462,500 shares of Class A common stock sold pursuant to the full exercise of an overallotment option granted to the underwriters which was consummated on December 11, 2013. The net proceeds from the IPO were used to purchase 11,212,500 newly issued Common Interests directly from JGW LLC representing 37.9% of the then outstanding Common Interests. Concurrent with the consummation of the Company’s IPO, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation to provide for, among other things, the authorization of shares of Class A common stock, shares of “vote only” Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Class B common stock”), and shares of Class C “non-voting” common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the “Class C common stock”). Also concurrent with the consummation of the Company’s IPO, JGW LLC merged with and into a newly formed subsidiary of the Company.
	Pursuant to this merger, the operating agreement of JGW LLC was amended and restated such that, among other things, (i) the Company became the sole managing member of JGW LLC, (ii) JGW LLC Common Interests became exchangeable for one share of Class A common stock, or in the case of PGHI Corp., one share of Class C common stock. Additionally, in connection with the merger, each holder of JGW LLC Common Interests, other than PGHI Corp., was issued an equivalent number of shares of Class B common stock. As a result of these transactions, as of and subsequent to November 14, 2013, the Company consolidates the financial results of JGW LLC with its own and reflects the membership interest in JGW LLC it does not own as a non-controlling interest in its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Tax Receivable Agreement
	Common Interestholders may exchange their Common Interests for shares of Class A common stock or, in the case of PGHI Corp., shares of Class C common stock, on a one-for-one basis or, in each case, at the option of JGW LLC, cash. JGW LLC is expected to make an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in connection with the filing of its 2014 federal income tax return, which may result in an adjustment to the Company’s share of the tax basis of the assets owned by JGW LLC at the time of such initial sale of and subsequent exchanges of Common Interests. The sale and exchanges may result in increases in the Company’s share of the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of JGW LLC that otherwise would not have been available. Any such increases in tax basis are, in turn, anticipated to create incremental tax deductions that would reduce the amount of tax that the Company would otherwise be required to pay in the future.
	In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement with Common Interestholders who held in excess of approximately 1% of the Common Interests outstanding immediately prior to the IPO. The tax receivable agreement requires the Company to pay those Common Interestholders 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the Company actually realizes in any tax year beginning with 2013 from increases in tax basis realized as a result of any future exchanges by Common Interestholders of their Common Interests for shares of Class A or Class C common stock (or cash). The cash savings in income tax paid to any such Common Interestholders will reduce the cash that may otherwise be available to the Company for operations and to make future distributions to holders of Class A common stock.
	For purposes of the tax receivable agreement, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing the Company’s actual income tax liability for a covered tax year to the amount of such taxes that the Company would have been required to pay for such covered tax year had there been no increase to the Company’s share of the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of JGW LLC as a result of such sale and any such exchanges and had the Company not entered into the tax receivable agreement. The tax receivable agreement continues until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired, unless the Company exercises its right to terminate the tax receivable agreement upon a change of control for an amount based on the remaining payments expected to be made under the tax receivable agreement.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company adopted ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”).  ASU 2013-11 requires, unless certain conditions exists, an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. This adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not materially impact the Company’s financial statements.

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entities	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	4. Variable Interest Entities
	In the normal course of business, the Company is involved with various entities that are considered to be VIEs. A VIE is an entity that has either a total investment that is insufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or whose equity investors lack the characteristics of a controlling financial interest under the voting interest model of consolidation. The Company is required to consolidate any VIE for which it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that has the power to direct those activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses from or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company reviews all significant interests in the VIEs it is involved with including consideration of the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance and whether the Company has control over those activities. On an ongoing basis, the Company assesses whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.
	As a result of adopting ASC 810, the Company was deemed to be the primary beneficiary of the VIEs used to securitize its finance receivables (“VIE finance receivables”). The Company elected the fair value option with respect to assets and liabilities in its securitization VIEs as part of their initial consolidation on January 1, 2010.
	The debt issued by the Company’s securitization VIEs is reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value (“VIE securitization debt”).  The VIE securitization debt is recourse solely to the VIE finance receivables held by such special purpose entities (“SPEs”) (Note 6 and 7) and thus is non-recourse to the Company and other consolidated subsidiaries. The VIEs will continue in operation until all securitization debt is paid and all residual cash flows are collected. Most consolidated VIEs have expected lives in excess of 20 years.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	5. Fair Value Measurements
	ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels are defined as follows:
	·         Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.
	·         Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices in markets that are not active or quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
	·         Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable, reflecting the entity’s own assumptions about assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Fair value is a market based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who holds the asset or owes the liabilities rather than an entity specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities at the measurement date. The Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company also evaluates various factors to determine whether certain transactions are orderly and may make adjustments to transactions or quoted prices when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have decreased significantly.
	The above conditions could cause certain assets and liabilities to be reclassified from Level 1 to Level 2 or Level 3 or reclassified from Level 2 to Level 3. The inputs or methodology used for valuing the assets or liabilities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with the assets and liabilities.
	The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:
	For assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements:
	Marketable securities — The estimated fair value of investments in marketable securities is based on quoted market prices.
	VIE and other finance receivables and VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value — The estimated fair value of VIE and other finance receivables and VIE long- term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair value is determined based on a discounted cash flow model using expected future collections discounted at a calculated rate as described below.
	For guaranteed structured settlements and annuities, the Company allocates the projected cash flows based on the waterfall of the securitization and permanent financing trusts (collectivity the “Trusts”). The waterfall includes fees to operate the Trusts (servicing fees, admin fees, etc.), note holder principal and note holder interest.  Many of the Trusts have various tranches of debt that have varying subordinations in the waterfall calculation (Note 10). The remaining cash flows, net of those obligations, are considered a residual interest which is projected to be paid to the Company’s retained interest holders.
	The projected finance receivable cash flows used to pay the obligations of the Trusts are discounted using a calculated rate derived from the fair value interest rates of the debt in the Trusts. The fair value interest rate of the debt is derived using a swap curve and applying a calculated spread that is based on market indices that are highly correlated with the spreads from the Company’s previous securitizations. The calculated spread is adjusted for the specific attributes of the debt in the Trusts, such as years to maturity and credit grade. The debt’s fair value interest rates are applied to the projected future cash payments paid on the principal and interest to derive the debt’s fair value. The debt’s fair value interest rates are blended using the debt’s principal balance to obtain a weighted average fair value interest rate; this rate is used to determine the value of the finance receivables’ asset cash flows. In addition, the Company considers transformation cost and profit margin associated with its securitizations to derive the fair value of its finance receivables’ asset cash flows. The finance receivables’ residual cash flows remaining after the projected obligations of the Trusts are satisfied are discounted using a separate yield based on an assumed rating of the residual tranche (6.38% and 7.85% as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, with a weighted average life of 20 years as of both dates).
	The residual cash flows are adjusted for a loss assumption of 0.25% over the life of the finance receivables in its fair value calculation.  Finance receivable cash flows, including the residual asset cash flows, are included in VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The associated debt’s projected future cash payments for principal and interest are included in VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value.
	For finance receivables not yet securitized, the Company uses the calculated spreads based on market indices, while also considering transformation costs and profit margin to determine the fair value yield adjusting for expected losses and applying the residual yield for the cash flows the Company projects would make up the retained interest in a securitization.
	For the Company’s Life Contingent Structured Settlements (“LCSS”) receivables and long-term debt issued by its related permanent financing trusts, the blended weighted average discount rate of the LCSS receivables at the time of borrowing (which occurs frequently throughout the year) is used to determine the fair value of the receivables’ cash flows.  The residual cash flows relating to the LCSS receivables are discounted using a separate yield based on the assumed rating to the residual tranche reflecting the life contingent feature of these receivables.
	Life settlement contracts, at fair market value — The fair values of life settlement contracts are determined by reference to the transfer price of similar life settlement contracts under a discounted cash flow calculation that takes into account the net death benefit under the policy, estimated future premium payments and the life expectancy of the insured, as well as other qualitative factors regarding market participants’ assumptions. Life expectancy is determined on a policy-by-policy basis using the results of medical underwriting performed by independent agencies.
	Notes receivable, at fair market value — The fair values of notes receivable were determined based on the discounted present value of future expected cash flows using management’s best estimates of the key assumptions regarding credit losses and discount rates determined to be commensurate with the risks involved. The notes receivable was repaid in June 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the amortized cost and fair value of the notes receivable was $6.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively.
	VIE derivative liabilities, at fair value — The fair value of interest rate swaps is based on pricing models which consider current interest rates, and the amount and timing of cash flows (Note 12).
	Assets and liabilities for which fair value is only disclosed:
	VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses — The fair value of structured settlement, annuity, and lottery receivables was estimated based on the present value of future expected cash flows using discount rates commensurate with the risks involved. The fair value of pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing was based on expected losses and historical loss experience associated with the respective receivables using management’s best estimates of the key assumptions regarding credit losses.
	Other receivables, net of allowance for losses — The estimated fair value of advances receivable and certain other receivables, which are generally recovered in less than three months, is equal to the carrying amount.  The carrying value of other receivables which have expected recoverability of greater than three months, which consist primarily of a note receivable, have been estimated based on the present value of future expected cash flows using management’s best estimate of the key assumptions, including discount rates commensurate with the risks involved.
	Installment obligations payable — Installment obligations payable are reported at contract value determined based on changes in the measuring indices selected by the obligees under the terms of the obligations over the lives of the obligations. The fair value of installment obligations payable is estimated to be equal to carrying value.
	Term loan payable — The estimated fair value of the term loan payable is based on recently executed transactions and market price quotations obtained from third-parties (Note 11).
	VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings — The estimated fair value of borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings is based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.
	VIE long-term debt — The estimated fair value of VIE long-term debt is based on fair value borrowing rates available to the Company based on recently executed transactions with similar underlying collateral characteristics, reflecting the specific terms and conditions of the debt.
	The following table sets forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other			Significant
		Markets for Identical Assets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Total at
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	September 30, 2014:
	Assets
	Marketable Securities:
	Equity securities
	US large cap	$	37,394		$	—		$	—		$	37,394
	US mid cap	7,665			—			—			7,665
	US small cap	7,680			—			—			7,680
	International	18,140			—			—			18,140
	Other equity	1,161			—			—			1,161
	Total equity securities	72,040			—			—			72,040
	Fixed income securities
	US fixed income	21,432			—			—			21,432
	International fixed income	4,146			—			—			4,146
	Other fixed income	26			—			—			26
	Total fixed income securities	25,604			—			—			25,604
	Other securities
	Cash & cash equivalents	4,300			—			—			4,300
	Alternative investments	2,089			—			—			2,089
	Annuities	2,457			—			—			2,457
	Total other securities	8,846			—			—			8,846
	Total marketable securities	106,490			—			—			106,490
	VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	—			—			4,356,458			4,356,458
	Notes receivable at fair market value	—			—			—			—
	Life settlements contracts, at fair market value (1)	—			—			—			—
	Total Assets	$	106,490		$	—		$	4,356,458		$	4,462,948
	Liabilities
	VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	$	—		$	—		$	3,836,856		$	3,836,856
	VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	—			70,016			—			70,016
	Total Liabilities	$	—		$	70,016		$	3,836,856		3,906,872
	(1) Included in other assets on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other			Significant
		Markets for Identical Assets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Total at
	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
December 31, 2013:
Assets
Marketable Securities:
Equity securities
US large cap	$	41,821		$	—		$	—		$	41,821
US mid cap	9,769			—			—			9,769
US small cap	10,212			—			—			10,212
International	19,938			—			—			19,938
Other equity	936			—			—			936
Total equity securities	82,676			—			—			82,676
Fixed income securities
US fixed income	26,713			—			—			26,713
International fixed income	4,089			—			—			4,089
Other fixed income	29			—			—			29
Total fixed income securities	30,831			—			—			30,831
Other securities
Cash & cash equivalents	5,534			—			—			5,534
Alternative investments	705			—			—			705
Annuities	2,208			—			—			2,208
Total other securities	8,447			—			—			8,447
Total marketable securities	121,954			—			—			121,954
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	—			—			3,870,649			3,870,649
Notes receivable at fair market value	—			—			5,610			5,610
Life settlements contracts, at fair market value (1)	—			—			—			—
Total Assets	$	121,954		$	—		$	3,876,259		$	3,998,213
Liabilities
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	$	—		$	—		$	3,431,283		$	3,431,283
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	—			70,296			—			70,296
Total Liabilities	$	—		$	70,296		$	3,431,283		3,501,579
(1) Included in other assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
The following table sets forth the Company’s quantitative information about its Level 3 fair value measurements as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively:
								Range
	Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		(Weighted Average)
	(Dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2014:
Assets
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	$	4,356,458		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		2.56% - 12.82% (3.68%)
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value	—			Model actuarial pricing		Life expectancy		5 to 241 months (139)
						Discount rate		18.50% (18.50%)
Total Assets	$	4,356,458
Liabilities
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		0.68% - 12.82% (3.39%)
Total Liabilities	$	3,836,856
								Range
	Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		(Weighted Average)
	(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2013:
Assets
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	$	3,870,649		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		2.79% - 13.69% (4.33%)
Notes receivable, at fair market value	5,610			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		7.85% (7.85%)
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value	—			Model actuarial pricing		Life expectancy		14 to 250 months (148)
						Discount rate		18.50% (18.50%)
Total Assets	$	3,876,259
Liabilities
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,431,283			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		0.73% - 12.70% (3.94%)
Total Liabilities	$	3,431,283
A significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of all of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value using unobservable inputs (Level 3) is the discount rate. Significant increases (decreases) in the discount rate used to estimate fair value in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement of the corresponding asset or liability. An additional significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the life settlement contracts, at fair value, is life expectancy. Significant increases (decreases) in the life expectancy used to estimate the fair value of life settlement contracts in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
The changes in assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	VIE and other			Life settlement			Notes receivable, at			Total
	finance receivables,			contracts, at fair			fair market value
	at fair market value			market value
	(In thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	3,870,649		$	—		$	5,610		$	3,876,259
Total gains (losses):
Included in earnings / losses	398,987			(116		)	2,098			400,969
Included in other comprehensive gain	—			—			(1,615		)	(1,615		)
Purchases of finance receivables	320,485			—			—			320,485
Life insurance premiums paid	—			116			—			116
Interest accreted	123,140			—			—			123,140
Payments received	(356,803		)	—			(6,093		)	(362,896		)
Maturities	—			—			—			—
Asset distribution	—			—			—			—
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—			—			—			—
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	4,356,458		$	—		$	—		$	4,356,458
The amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held as of:
September 30, 2014	$	398,987		$	(116	)	$	—		$	398,871
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,615,188		$	1,724		$	8,074		$	3,624,986
Total gains (losses):
Included in earnings / losses	197,429			(22		)	1,862			199,269
Included in other comprehensive gain	—			—			(1,360		)	(1,360		)
Purchases of finance receivables	300,452			—			—			300,452
Life insurance premiums paid	—			241			—			241
Interest accreted	107,784			—			—			107,784
Payments received	(322,345		)	—			(2,338		)	(324,683		)
Maturities	—			(51		)	—			(51		)
Asset distribution	(9,615		)	(1,892		)	—			(11,507		)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—			—			—			—
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,888,893		$	—		$	6,238		$	3,895,131
The amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held as of:
September 30, 2013	$	197,429		$	31		$	—		$	197,460
The changes in liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
	VIE long-term debt issued
	by securitizations and
	permanent financing
	trusts
	(In thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	3,431,283
Net (gains) losses:
Included in earnings / losses	177,420
Issuances	473,782
Interest accreted	(28,944		)
Repayments	(216,685		)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	3,836,856
The amount of net (gains) losses for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to long-term debt still held as of:
September 30, 2014	$	177,667
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,229,591
Net (gains) losses:
Included in earnings / losses	23,769
Issuances	406,240
Interest accreted	(35,863		)
Repayments	(185,876		)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,437,861
The amount of net (gains) losses for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to long-term debt still held as of:
September 30, 2013	$	23,769
Realized and unrealized gains and losses included in revenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are reported in the following revenue categories:
	VIE and other finance			Life settlement
	receivables and long-			contracts income
	term debt
	(In thousands)
Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2014	$	59,467		$	—
Unrealized gains (losses) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2014	$	59,197		$	—
Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2014	$	221,567		$	(116	)
Unrealized gains (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2014	$	221,320		$	(116	)
Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2013	$	46,020		$	51
Unrealized gains (losses) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2013	$	46,020		$	51
Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2013	$	173,660		$	(22	)
Unrealized gains (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2013	$	173,660		$	31
The Company discloses fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized at fair value in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, for which it is practicable to estimate that value.  As such, the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
	September 30,						December 31,
	2014						2013
	(In thousands)
	Estimated						Estimated
	Fair			Carrying			Fair			Carrying
	Value			Amount			Value			Amount
Financial assets
Marketable securities	$	106,490		$	106,490		$	121,954		$	121,954
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	4,356,458			4,356,458			3,870,649			3,870,649
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses (1)	125,495			132,888			126,502			132,992
Notes receivable, at fair market value	—			—			5,610			5,610
Other receivables, net of allowance for losses (1)	12,281			12,281			13,529			13,529
Financial liabilities
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016			70,016			70,296			70,296
VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings (1)	27,367			25,358			42,275			41,274
VIE long-term debt (1)	178,145			183,310			147,112			150,802
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856			3,836,856			3,431,283			3,431,283
Installment obligations payable (1)	106,490			106,490			121,954			121,954
Term loan payable (1)	436,433			436,433			434,184			434,184
(1) These represent financial instruments not recorded in the condensed  consolidated balance sheets at fair value.  Such financial instruments would be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, at Fair Market Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, at Fair Market Value	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, at Fair Market Value	'
	6. VIE and Other Finance Receivables, at Fair Market Value
	The Company has elected to fair value newly originated guaranteed structured settlements in accordance with ASC 810.  Additionally, as a result of the Company including lottery winning finance receivables in its 2013-1 asset securitization, the Company also elected to fair value newly originated lottery winnings effective January 1, 2013. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, VIE and other finance receivables for which the fair value option was elected consist of the following:
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Maturity value	$	6,366,367		$	5,917,596
	Unearned income	(2,009,909		)	(2,046,947		)
	Net carrying amount	$	4,356,458		$	3,870,649
	Encumbrances on VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value are as follows:
	Encumbrance	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	VIE securitization debt (2)	$	4,207,005		$	3,742,218
	$100 million credit facility (1)	—			11,073
	$50 million credit facility (1)	—			—
	$300 million credit facility (1)	—			16,681
	$300 million credit facility (1)	10,024			7,568
	$100 million permanent financing related to 2011-A (2)	57,925			41,164
	Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	4,274,954			3,818,704
	Not encumbered	81,504			51,945
	Total VIE and other finance receivables at fair value	$	4,356,458		$	3,870,649
	(1)     See Note 8
	(2)     See Note 10
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the residual cash flows from the Company’s finance receivables, at fair market value, were pledged as collateral for the Residual Term Facility (Note 9). Additionally, as of December 31, 2013, the Company’s notes receivables, at fair market value, were pledged as collateral for the Residual Term Facility. The Company’s notes receivables, at fair market value, were repaid during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	The Company is engaged to service certain finance receivables it sells to third parties. Servicing fee revenue related to those receivables are included in servicing, broker, and other fees in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013  were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Servicing fees	$	230		$	239		$	691	$	714

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab1

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'
	7. VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses
	VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses, as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consist of the following:
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Structured settlements and annuities	$	76,994		$	75,894
	Less: unearned income	(50,024		)	(49,751		)
		26,970			26,143
	Lottery winnings	83,273			87,495
	Less: unearned income	(25,427		)	(28,442		)
		57,846			59,053
	Pre-settlement funding transactions	57,736			56,309
	Less: deferred revenue	(1,628		)	(2,240		)
		56,108			54,069
	Attorney cost financing	1,421			2,069
	Less: deferred revenue	—			—
		1,421			2,069
	VIE and other finance receivables, gross	142,345			141,334
	Less: allowance for losses	(9,457		)	(8,342		)
	VIE and other finance receivables, net	$	132,888		$	132,992
	Encumbrances on VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses are as follows:
	Encumbrance	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	VIE securitization debt (2)	$	76,113		$	78,575
	$35 million pre-settlement credit facility (1)	29,003			25,047
	$45.1 million long-term pre-settlement facility (2)	7,544			11,680
	$2.5 million long-term facility (2)	1,793			2,524
	Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	114,453			117,826
	Not encumbered	18,435			15,166
	Total VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowances	$	132,888		$	132,992
	(1)     See Note 8
	(2)     See Note 9
	Activity in the allowance for losses for VIE and other finance receivables for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 was as follows:
		Structured			Lottery			Pre-settlement			Life insurance			Attorney cost			Total
		settlements and						funding transactions			premium financing			financing
		annuities
		(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(8,642	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(8,984	)
	Provision for loss	(6		)	—			(1,049		)	—			—			(1,055		)
	Charge-offs	6			—			598			—			—			604
	Recoveries	—			—			(22		)	—			—			(22		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(9,115	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(9,457	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(48	)	$	—		$	(8,011	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(8,342	)
	Provision for loss	(14		)	(8		)	(3,251		)	—			—			(3,273		)
	Charge-offs	110			29			2,169			—			—			2,308
	Recoveries	(103		)	(25		)	(22		)	—			—			(150		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(9,115	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(9,457	)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(2,874	)	$	—		$	—		$	(2,933	)
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			(6,241		)	—			(283		)	(6,524		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(9,115	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(9,457	)
	VIE and other finance receivables, net:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	26,915		$	57,842		$	3,346		$	—		$	—		$	88,103
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			43,647			—			1,138			44,785
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	26,915		$	57,842		$	46,993		$	—		$	1,138		$	132,888
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	(182	)	$	—		$	(6,282	)	$	—		$	(293	)	$	(6,757	)
	Provision for loss	51			85			(1,836		)	—			10			(1,690		)
	Charge-offs	85			—			1,064			—			—			1,149
	Recoveries	—			(85		)	—			—			—			(85		)
Other	—			—			—			—			—			—
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(7,054	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(7,383	)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Allowance for losses:
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	(181	)	$	(6	)	$	(4,194	)	$	—		$	(269	)	$	(4,650	)
Provision for loss	(88		)	96			(4,370		)	2			(14		)	(4,374		)
Charge-offs	224			35			1,510			—			—			1,769
Recoveries	(1		)	(125		)	—			(2		)	—			(128		)
Other	—			—			—			—			—			—
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(7,054	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(7,383	)
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(2,095	)	$	—		$	—		$	(2,141	)
Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			(4,959		)	—			(283		)	(5,242		)
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(7,054	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(7,383	)
VIE and other finance receivables, net:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	26,042		$	59,732		$	2,514		$	—		$	—		$	88,288
Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			43,020			—			2,197			45,217
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	26,042		$	59,732		$	45,534		$	—		$	2,197		$	133,505
Management makes significant estimates in determining the allowance for losses on finance receivables. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing these estimates, including current economic conditions and anticipated delinquencies. Because the allowance for losses is dependent on general and other economic conditions beyond the Company’s control, it is at least reasonably possible that the estimate for the allowance for losses could differ materially from the currently reported amount in the near term.
The Company suspends recognizing interest income on a receivable when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all payments according to the contractual terms of the underlying agreement. Management considers all information available in assessing collectability. Collectability is measured on a receivable-by-receivable basis by either the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the effective rate, the observable market price for the receivable or the fair value of the collateral if the receivable is collateral dependent.  Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous receivables, such as pre-settlement funding transactions, are collectively assessed for collectability.
Payments received on past due receivables and finance receivables on which the Company has suspended recognizing revenue are applied first to principal and then to accrued interest. Additionally, the Company generally does not resume recognition of interest income once it has been suspended. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had discontinued recognition of income on pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing receivables totaling $12.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had discontinued recognition of income on pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing receivables totaling $11.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
Pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing are usually outstanding for a period of time exceeding one year. The Company performs underwriting procedures to assess the quality of the underlying pending litigation collateral prior to making such advances. The underwriting process involves an evaluation of each transaction’s case merits, counsel track record and case concentration.
The Company assesses the status of the individual pre-settlement funding transactions to determine whether there are any case specific concerns that need to be addressed and included in the allowance for losses on finance receivables. The Company also analyzes pre-settlement funding transactions on a portfolio basis based on the advances’ age as the ability to collect is correlated to the duration of time the advances are outstanding.
The following table presents gross pre-settlement funding transactions as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, based on their year of origination:
Year of	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Origination
	(In thousands)
2009	$	3,415		$	4,578
2010	4,450			5,740
2011	7,669			10,915
2012	12,244			17,527
2013	12,431			17,549
2014	17,527			—
	$	57,736		$	56,309
Based on historical portfolio experience, the Company reserved for pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing $9.1 million and $0.3 million as of September 30, 2014 and $8.0 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2013, respectively.
The following table presents portfolio delinquency status as of September 30, 2014 and as of December 31, 2013, respectively:
																			VIE and Other
	30-59			60-89			Greater									VIE and Other			Finance
																Finance			Receivables, net
	Days			Days			than			Total						Receivables,			> 90 days
	Past Due			Past Due			90 Days			Past Due			Current			net			accruing
	(In thousands)
As of September 30, 2014:
Structured settlements and annuities	$	33		$	7		$	195		$	235		$	26,735		$	26,970		$	—
Lottery winnings	1			1			123			125			57,721			57,846			—
Total	$	34		$	8		$	318		$	360		$	84,456		$	84,816		$	—
As of December 31, 2013:
Structured settlements and annuities	$	4		$	1		$	62		$	67		$	26,028		$	26,095		$	—
Lottery winnings	—			—			18			18			59,035			59,053			—
Total	$	4		$	1		$	80		$	85		$	85,063		$	85,148		$	—
Pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing do not have set due dates as payment is dependent on the underlying case settling.

VIE_Borrowings_Under_Revolving

VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings	'
VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings	'
	8. VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings on the condensed consolidated balance sheets consist of the following:
			September 30,		December 31,
		Entity	2014		2013
			(In thousands)
	$100 million variable funding note facility with interest payable monthly at 9.0%, collateralized by JGW-S III, LLC (“JGW-S III”) structured settlements receivables, 2-year revolving period with 18 months amortization period thereafter upon notice by the issuer or the note holder with all principal and interest outstanding payable no later than October 15, 2048. JGW-S III is charged monthly an unused fee of 1.00% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW-S III	$	—	$	7,535
	$50 million credit facility, interest payable monthly at the rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin (3.40% as of September 30, 2014 and 3.42% as of December 31, 2013) maturing on October 2, 2016, collateralized by JGW IV, LLC (“JGW IV”)’s structured settlements and annuity receivables. JGW IV is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.50% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW IV	6		—
	$300 million multi-tranche and lender credit facility with interest payable monthly. The Facility was revised on July 24, 2013 as follows: Tranche A rate comprises 3.0% and either the LIBOR or the Commercial Paper rate depending on the lender (3.15% and 3.25% as of September 30, 2014 and 3.17% and 3.29% at December 31, 2013). Tranche B rate is 5.5% plus LIBOR (5.65% as of September 30, 2014, 5.67% at December 31, 2013). The facility matures on July 24, 2016 and is collateralized by JGW V, LLC (“JGW V”) structured settlements, annuity and lottery receivables. JGW V is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.625% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW V	—		10,985
	$300 million credit facility, interest payable monthly at 2.75% plus an applicable margin (2.98% as of September 30, 2014 and 2.95% at December 31, 2013), maturing on November 15, 2016, collateralized by JGW VII, LLC (“JGW VII”) structured settlements, annuity and lottery receivables. JGW VII is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.50% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW VII	6,963		5,769
	$35 million multi class credit facility with interest payable monthly as follows: Class A rate comprises the lender’s “prime rate” plus 1.00%, subject to a floor of 4.50% (4.50% as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013). Class B rate comprises the Class A rate plus 1.00% (5.50% as of September 30 2014 and December 31, 2013). The facility matures December 31, 2014 and is collateralized by certain pre-settlement receivables. Peach One is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.50% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	Peach One	18,389		16,985
	Total		$	25,358	$	41,274
	Interest expense, including unused fees, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings was $2.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Interest expense, including unused fees, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings was $6.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively.
	The weighted average interest rate on outstanding VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was 4.08% and 4.81%, respectively.

VIE_LongTerm_Debt

VIE Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VIE Long-Term Debt	'
VIE Long-Term Debt	'
	9. VIE Long-Term Debt
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, VIE long-term debt consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	PLMT Permanent Facility	$	44,731	$	47,267
	Residual Term Facility	107,329		68,785
	Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility	9,657		12,435
	2012-A Facility	1,558		2,276
	LCSS Facility (2010-C)	12,876		12,880
	LCSS Facility (2010-D)	7,159		7,159
	Total	$	183,310	$	150,802
	PLMT Permanent Facility
	The Company has a $75.0 million floating rate asset backed loan with interest payable monthly at one-month LIBOR plus 1.25% which is currently in a runoff mode with the outstanding balance being reduced by periodic cash collections on the underlying lottery receivables. The loan matures on October 30, 2040.
	The debt agreement with the counterparty requires Peachtree Lottery Master Trust (“PLMT”) to hedge each lottery receivable with a pay fixed and receive variable interest rate swap with the counterparty. The swaps are recorded at fair value in VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Residual Term Facility
	In September 2011 and August 2012, the Company issued term debt of $56.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively (the “Residual Term Facility”). The Residual Term Facility is collateralized by the cash flows from securitization residuals related to certain securitizations and by notes receivable that were fully repaid in June 2014.   Initially, interest on the Residual Term Facility was payable at 8.0% until September 15, 2014 and 9.0% thereafter. The $56.0 million term debt and the $14.0 million term debt were to mature on September 15, 2018 and September 15, 2019, respectively. Principal payments from collateral cash flows began on September 15, 2013 and were scheduled to continue until maturity. In addition, the $56.0 million term debt required minimum annual principal payments of $5.5 million beginning on September 15, 2015 and continuing until maturity. Moreover, the $14.0 million term debt required minimal principal payments of $2.0 million beginning on September 15, 2014 and continuing until maturity.
	In May 2014, the Company amended the terms of the Residual Term Facility to increase the principal balance from $70.0 million to $110.0 million, reduce the interest rate to 7.0% per annum, payable monthly, and eliminate the requirement of minimum annual principal payments. The Residual Term Facility matures on May 15, 2021.
	Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility
	In 2011, the Company issued three fixed rate notes totaling $45.1 million, of which, $9.7 million and $12.4 million principal amount remains outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Interest accrues on the notes at a rate of 9.25% per annum with interest and principal payable monthly from the cash receipts of collateralized pre-settlement funding transactions. The notes mature on June 6, 2016.
	2012-A Facility
	In December 2012, the Company issued a series of notes collateralized by structured settlements. The proceeds to the Company from the issuance of the notes were $2.5 million and interest accrues on the notes at a fixed interest rate of 9.25%. Interest and principal are payable monthly from cash receipts of collateralized structured settlement receivables. The notes mature on June 15, 2024.
	Long-term Debt for Life Contingent Structured Settlements (2010-C & 2010-D)
	Long-term Debt (2010-C)
	In November 2010, the Company issued a private asset class securitization note (“2010-C”) under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144A”). The 2010-C bond issuance of $12.9 million is collateralized by life-contingent structured settlements. 2010-C accrues interest at 10% per annum and matures on March 15, 2039.
	The interest and, if available, principal payments are payable monthly from cash receipts of collateralized life-contingent structured settlements receivables.
	Long-term Debt (2010-D)
	In December 2010, the Company paid $0.2 million to purchase the membership interests of LCSS, LLC from JLL Partners. LCSS, LLC owns 100% of the membership interests of LCSS II, LLC, which owns 100% of the membership interests of LCSS III, LLC (“LCSS III”). In November 2010, LCSS III issued $7.2 million long-term debt (“2010-D”) collateralized by life-contingent structured settlements. 2010-D accrues interest at 10% per annum and matures on July 15, 2040.
	The interest and, if available, principal payments are payable monthly from cash receipts of collateralized life-contingent structured settlements receivables.

VIE_Longterm_Debt_Issued_by_Se

VIE Long-term Debt Issued by Securitization and Permanent Financing trusts, at Fair Market Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VIE Long-term Debt Issued by Securitization and Permanent Financing trusts, at Fair Market Value	'
VIE Long-term Debt Issued by Securitization and Permanent Financing trusts, at Fair Market Value	'
	10. VIE Long-term Debt Issued by Securitization and Permanent Financing trusts, at Fair Market Value
	Securitization Debt
	The Company elected fair value treatment under ASC 825 to measure the securitization issuer debt and related finance receivables. The Company has determined that measurement of the securitization debt issued by SPEs at fair value better correlates with the value of the finance receivables held by SPEs, which are held to provide the cash flows for the note obligations. Debt issued by SPEs is non-recourse to other subsidiaries. Certain subsidiaries of the Company continue to receive fees for servicing the securitized assets which are eliminated in consolidation. In addition, the risk to the Company’s non-SPE subsidiaries from SPE losses is limited to cash reserve and residual interest amounts.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company completed two asset securitization transactions under Rule 144A.  The following table summarizes these securitization SPE transactions:
		2014-2		2014-1
		(bond proceeds in $ millions)
	Issue date	7/23/14		2/18/14
	Bond proceeds	$227.40		$233.90
	Receivables securitized	3,744		4,128
	Deal discount rate	3.95%		4.24%
	Retained interest %	5.50%		6.00%
	Class allocation (Moody’s)
	Aaa	84.00%		85.25%
	Baa2	10.50%		8.75%
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company also completed two asset securitization transactions under Rule 144A.  The following table summarizes these securitization SPE transactions:
		2013-2		2013-1
		(bond proceeds in $ millions)
	Issue date	7/30/13		3/20/13
	Bond proceeds	$174.60		$216.50
	Receivables securitized	3,410		3,949
	Deal discount rate	4.49%		3.65%
	Retained interest %	6.75%		6.75%
	Class allocation (Moody’s)
	Aaa	85.25%		85.25%
	Baa2	8.00%		8.00%
	The following table summarizes notes issued by securitization trusts and permanent financing trusts as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 for which the Company has elected the fair value option and which are recorded as VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets:
		Outstanding			Outstanding		Fair Value		Fair Value
		Principal as of			Principal as of		as of		as of
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(In Thousands)
	Securitization trusts	$	3,323,495		$	3,063,520	$	3,576,195	$	3,177,404
	Permanent financing VIEs	254,240			256,914		260,661		253,879
	Total	$	3,577,735		$	3,320,434	$	3,836,856	$	3,431,283
	On March 18, 2014, the Company amended the terms of its $50.0 million permanent financing related to the 2011-A note issued by JGW-S LC II, LLC to increase the maximum borrowing capacity to $100.0 million.
	The Company repaid approximately $6.1 million of long-term debt issued by the 2002-A securitization in September 2014 and recorded a gain on debt extinguishment of $0.3 million in the Company’s unaudited condensed statement of operations.

Term_Loan_Payable

Term Loan Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Term Loan Payable	'
Term Loan Payable	'
	11. Term Loan Payable
	In connection with the Company’s merger with Orchard Acquisition Company, LLC (“OAC”) and its subsidiaries on July 12, 2011 (the “OAC Merger”), the Company assumed OAC’s term loan payable in the amount of $176.5 million, with interest payable at Eurodollar base rate plus applicable and additional margins (8.75% as of December 31, 2012), which was scheduled to mature on November 21, 2013 (the “Term Loan”). Interest expense relating to the Term Loan for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $0 and $1.4 million, respectively.
	On February 8, 2013, the Term Loan was refinanced with a new senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) that consisted of a $425.0 million term loan (the “New Term Loan”) and a $20.0 million revolving commitment maturing in February 2019 and August 2017, respectively. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are guarantors of the Credit Facility. Substantially all of the non-securitized and non-collateralized assets of the Company are pledged as security for the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. In connection with the Company’s entry into the Credit Facility, the Company paid approximately $15.0 million in amendment, legal and other fees during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	At each interest reset date, the Company has the option to elect that the New Term Loan be either a Eurodollar loan or a base rate loan. If a Eurodollar loan, interest on the New Term Loan accrues at either Libor or 1.5% (whichever is greater) plus a spread of 7.5%.  If a base rate loan, interest accrues at prime or 2.5% (whichever is greater) plus a spread of 6.5%. The revolving commitment has the same interest rate terms as the New Term Loan. In addition, the revolving commitment is subject to an unused fee of 0.5% per annum and provides for the issuance of letters of credit equal to $10.0 million, subject to customary terms and fees.
	The Credit Facility requires the Company, to the extent that as of the last day of any fiscal quarter outstanding balances on the revolving commitment exceed specific thresholds, to comply with a maximum total leverage ratio. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving commitment and, as a result, the maximum total leverage ratio requirement was not applicable. The Credit Facility also limits the Company and certain of its subsidiaries from engaging in certain activities, including mergers and acquisitions, incurrence of additional indebtedness, incurring liens, making investments, transacting with affiliates, disposing of assets, and various other activities. In addition, the Credit Facility limits, with certain exceptions, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries from making cash dividends and loans to the Company. As a result, essentially none of the Company’s $240.7 million and $173.4 million in stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, was free of limitations on the payment of dividends.
	In conjunction with the refinancing of the Term Loan, JGW LLC made a cash distribution to its members in the amount of $309.6 million as well as an asset distribution in the amount of $16.3 million to PGHI Corp. during the three months ended March 31, 2013. The distribution assets were originally acquired by JGW LLC as part of the OAC Merger.
	On May 31, 2013, the Credit Facility was amended to provide for an additional term loan of $150.0 million on the same terms as the New Term Loan. In conjunction with this amendment, JGW LLC made a cash distribution to its members in the amount of $150.0 million and paid approximately $2.9 million in amendment, legal and other fees.
	As a result of the distributions by JGW LLC to its members described above, each outstanding preferred interest in JGW LLC was converted into one Common Interest on May 31, 2013 in accordance with the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of JGW LLC.
	On December 6, 2013, the Company repaid $123.0 million of its New Term Loan from the proceeds of its IPO and amended the terms of the Credit Facility. The amendment, among other things: (i) reduced the applicable margin on the initial term loans from 7.50% to 6.00% for Eurodollar loans and from 6.50% to 5.00% for base rate loans, and (ii) reduced the interest rate floor on the initial term loans from 1.50% to 1.00% for Eurodollar loans and from 2.50% to 2.00% for base rate loans. As of September 30, 2014, the interest rate on the New Term Loan was 7.0%. In connection with the repayment and amendment of the New Term Loan, the Company paid approximately $13.1 million in amendment, legal and other fees. Additionally, as a result of the Company’s repayment, no further principal payments are due on the New Term Loan until its maturity in February 2019.
	Interest expense relating to the New Term Loan for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $8.1 million and $13.2 million, respectively. Interest expense relating to the New Term Loan for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $23.9 million and $29.6 million, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	12. Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company utilizes interest rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates related to borrowings on its revolving credit facilities. Hedge accounting has not been applied to any of the Company’s interest rate swaps.
	As of September 30, 2014, the Company did not have any outstanding interest rate swaps related to its borrowings on revolving credit facilities.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and in connection with its securitizations, the Company terminated interest rate swaps with notional values of $46.5 million and $101.0 million, respectively. The total gain (loss) on the termination of these interest rate swaps for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was less than ($0.1) million and $0.5 million, respectively. The total gain (loss) on the termination of these interest rate swaps for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $(0.6) million and $0.4 million, respectively. These gains (losses) were recorded in gain (loss) on swap terminations, net, in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The unrealized gain (loss) for these swaps for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was less than $0.1 million and ($0.7) million, respectively. The unrealized loss for these swaps for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was less than ($0.1) million and ($0.2) million, respectively. These gains (losses) were recorded in unrealized gains on VIE and other finance receivables, long-term debt and derivatives in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The Company also has interest-rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates related to its borrowings on certain VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts (Note 10). As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 8 outstanding swaps with a total notional amount of approximately $251.7 million. The Company pays fixed rates ranging from 4.50% to 5.77% and receives floating rates equal to 1-month LIBOR plus applicable margin.
	These interest rate swaps were designed to closely match the borrowings under the respective floating rate asset backed loans in amortization. As of September 30, 2014, the term of these interest rate swaps range from approximately 8 to 21 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the amount of unrealized gain recognized was $3.2 million and $2.6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the amount of unrealized gain recognized was $3.6 million and $19.1 million, respectively. These gains were recorded in unrealized gains on VIE and other finance receivables, long-term debt and derivatives in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	Additionally, the Company has interest-rate swaps to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates related to its borrowings under Peachtree Structured Settlements, LLC (“PSS”), a permanent financing VIE (Note 10), and PLMT (Note 9).  As of September 30, 2014, the Company had 155 outstanding swaps with a total notional value of approximately $236.3 million. The Company pays fixed rates ranging from 4.38% to 8.70% and receives floating rates equal to 1-month LIBOR rate plus applicable margin.
	The PSS and PLMT interest rate swaps were designed to closely match the borrowings under the respective floating rate asset backed loans in amortization. As of September 30, 2014, the term of the interest rate swaps for PSS and PLMT range from approximately less than 1 month to approximately 20 years. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the amount of unrealized gain recognized was $1.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the amount of unrealized gain (loss) recognized was ($3.5) million and $21.5 million, respectively. These gains (losses) were included in unrealized gains on VIE and other finance receivables, long-term debt and derivatives in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
	The notional amounts and fair values of interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
			Notional Value as of		Fair Market Value as of			Notional Value as of		Fair Market Value as of
	Entity	Securitization	September 30, 2014		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013		December 31, 2013
			(In Thousands)
	321 Henderson I	2004-A A-1	$	34,332	$	(3,007	)	$	40,734	$	(3,745	)
	321 Henderson I	2005-1 A-1	62,704		(7,269		)	73,269		(8,559		)
	321 Henderson II	2006-1 A-1	16,830		(1,580		)	20,976		(2,137		)
	322 Henderson II	2006-2 A-1	20,858		(2,696		)	23,620		(3,202		)
	323 Henderson II	2006-3 A-1	22,443		(2,478		)	25,902		(3,023		)
	324 Henderson II	2006-4 A-1	21,265		(2,125		)	23,842		(2,643		)
	325 Henderson II	2007-1 A-2	34,585		(5,225		)	39,364		(5,159		)
	326 Henderson II	2007-2 A-3	38,660		(8,294		)	41,544		(8,015		)
	JGW V, LLC	—	—		—			10,985		16
	PSS	—	182,406		(28,157		)	192,444		(25,120		)
	PLMT	—	53,901		(9,185		)	56,942		(8,709		)
	Total		$	487,984	$	(70,016	)	$	549,622	$	(70,296	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	13. Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company had an arrangement (the “Arrangement”) with a counterparty for the sale of LCSS assets that met certain eligibility criteria, which expired on June 30, 2012. Pursuant to the Arrangement, the Company also had a borrowing agreement (the “Borrowing Agreement”) with the counterparty that gave the counterparty a borrowing base to draw on from the Company for the purchase of LCSS assets. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the amount owed from the counterparty pursuant to this Borrowing Agreement is approximately $9.5 million and $9.1 million, respectively, is earning interest at an annual rate of 5.35% and is included in other receivables, net of allowance for losses in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The Arrangement also has put options, which expire on December 30, 2019 and 2020, that gives the counterparty the option to sell purchased LCSS assets back to the Company. The put options, if exercised by the counterparty, require the Company to purchase LCSS assets at a target IRR of 3.5% above the original target IRR paid by the counterparty.
	In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims. These proceedings and claims have not been finally resolved and the Company cannot make any assurances as to their ultimate disposition. It is in management’s opinion, based on the information currently available at this time, that the expected outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, the results of operations or cash flows of the Company.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting	'
Segment Reporting	'
	14. Segment Reporting
	ASC 280, Segment Reporting, establishes standards for segment reporting in the financial statements. Management has determined that all of the operations have similar economic characteristics and may be aggregated into a single segment for disclosure under ASC 280.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	15. Income Taxes
	The Company is required to file federal and applicable state corporate income tax returns and recognizes income taxes on its pre-tax income, which to-date has consisted primarily of its share of JGW LLC’s pre-tax income. JGW LLC is organized as a limited liability company which is treated as a “flow-through” entity for income tax purposes and therefore is not subject to income taxes. As a result, the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect a benefit or provision for income taxes for JGW LLC for periods prior to the IPO or any benefit or provision for income taxes on the pre-tax income or loss attributable to the non-controlling interests in JGW LLC.
	The Company’s overall effective tax rate reflects the fact that a portion of JGW LLC’s income is allocated to the non-controlling interests. Accordingly, a portion of the Company’s earnings attributable to the non-controlling interests are not subject to corporate level taxes.
	The Company’s overall effective tax rate was 19.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to an overall effective rate of less than 1.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase in the overall effective tax rate was due to the allocation of income from JGW LLC to the Company for all of 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company was only allocated taxable income for the period after the IPO. The Company’s share of JGW LLC’s income also increased as a result of holders of Common Interests having exchanged their Common Interests for shares of Class A common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 (Note 17).
	The Company’s overall effective tax rate was 14.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 compared to an overall effective tax rate of 19.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The decrease in the overall effective tax rate during the quarter was primarily due to differences between the income tax provision estimated in the prior year’s financial statements and the actual income tax expense reported on the Company’s corporate income tax return filed during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
	The effective tax rate for the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 43.3% and 44.8%, respectively. The effective tax rate for JGW LLC for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was (8.7%) and 0.9%, respectively.  The variance in effective tax rates between the two legal entities is because JGW LLC is treated as a “flow-through” entity for income tax purposes and therefore is not subject to income taxes.

Restructure_Expense

Restructure Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructure Expense	'
Restructure Expense	'
	16. Restructure Expense
	In April 2013, the Company announced its intention to close its Boynton Beach office. The associated workforce reductions were substantially complete as of December 31, 2013. A reconciliation of the associated restructure liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	921
	Restructuring expense	(141		)
	Payments for restructuring charges	(709		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	71

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	17. Stockholders’ Equity
	Refer to Note 2 for a description of the IPO and associated reorganization of the Company.
	The Company’s authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $.00001 per share, 500,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $.00001 per share, 500,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, par value $.00001 per share, and 100,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock.
	As of September 30, 2014, there were 14,347,143 shares of Class A common stock issued and 14,255,194 shares outstanding. Additionally, there were 10,680,530 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding, respectively, as of September 30, 2014.
	Class A Common Stock Repurchase Program
	On May 2, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an aggregate of $15.0 million of Class A common stock (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Purchases under the Stock Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase programs, issuer self-tender offers or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The Stock Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of Class A common stock and the pace of repurchase activity will depend on factors such as levels of cash generation from operations, cash requirements for investment in the Company’s business, repayment of debt, current stock price, market conditions and other factors. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time and has no set expiration date.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repurchased 88,020 shares of Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $0.9 million, or $10.42 per share, pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Program. The repurchased shares are classified as treasury stock at cost on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Class A Common Stock
	Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of Class A common stock are entitled to share ratably (based on the number of shares of Class A common stock held) if and when any dividend is declared by the Company’s board of directors. Upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of Class A common stock are entitled to a pro rata distribution of any assets available for distribution to common stockholders, and do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights.
	Class B Common Stock
	Shares of Class B common stock will only be issued in the future to the extent that additional Common Interests are issued by JGW LLC, in which case the Company would issue a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock.
	Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of Class B common stock do not have any right to receive dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and will only be entitled to receive an amount per share equal to the $0.00001 par value. Holders of Class B common stock do not have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of Class B common stock.
	Subject to the terms and conditions of the operating agreement of JGW LLC, each Common Interestholder has the right to exchange their Common Interests in JGW LLC together with the corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock, or at the option of JGW LLC, cash equal to the market value of one share of Class A common stock.
	Class C Common Stock
	Holders of Class C common stock generally are not entitled to vote on any matters. Holders of Class C common stock are entitled to share ratably (based on the number of shares of Class C common stock held) if and when any dividend is declared by the Company’s board of directors. Upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up, holders of Class C common stock will be entitled to a pro rata distribution of any assets available for distribution to common stockholders (except the de minimis par value of the Class B common stock), and do not have preemptive rights to purchase additional shares of Class C common stock.
	Subject to the terms and conditions of the operating agreement of JGW LLC, PGHI Corp. and its permitted transferees have the right to exchange the non-voting Common Interests in JGW LLC they hold for shares of Class C common stock, or at the option of JGW LLC, cash equal to the market value of Class C common stock.
	Each share of Class C common stock may, at the option of the holder, be converted at any time into a share of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.
	Preferred Stock
	The Company’s certificate of incorporation provides that the board of directors has the authority, without action by the stockholders, to designate and issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the powers, rights, preferences, and privileges of each class or series of preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, and the number of shares constituting any class or series, which may be greater than the rights of the holders of the common stock.  No preferred stock had been issued or was outstanding as of September 30, 2014.
	Warrants Issued to PGHI Corp.
	In connection with the IPO and restructuring, the Class C Profits Interests of JGW LLC held by PGHI Corp. were cancelled and holders received in-exchange warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock. The warrants issued in respect of the Tranche C-1 profit interests entitle the holders thereof to purchase up to 483,217 shares of Class A common stock and have an exercise price of $35.78 per share. The warrants issued in respect of the Tranche C-2 profits interests also entitle the holders thereof to purchase up to 483,217 shares of Class A common stock and have an exercise price of $63.01 per share. All of the warrants issued are currently exercisable, terminate on January 8, 2022, and may not be transferred.
	JGW LLC Operating Agreement
	Pursuant to the operating agreement of JGW LLC, the holders of JGW LLC Common Interests (other than the Company) have the right, subject to terms of the operating agreement as described therein, to exchange their Common Interests and an equal number of shares of Class B common stock for an equivalent number of shares of Class A common stock, or in the case of PGHI Corp., an equivalent number of shares of Class C common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 3,123,517 Common Interests in JGW LLC, in addition to an equal number of shares of Class B common stock, were exchanged for 3,123,517 shares of the Class A common stock pursuant to the operating agreement.
	Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income requires entities to report, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes, the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded the following reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income:
	Period	Details about accumulated	Amount reclassified from			Affected line item in the
		other comprehensive income	accumulated other			unaudited condensed
		components	comprehensive income			consolidated statement of
						operations
			(In Thousands)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014	Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	$	2,098		Realized gain (loss) on notes receivable, at fair value
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	$	(1,862	)	Realized gain (loss) on notes receivable, at fair value
	In June 2014, a third party repaid its fixed rate note receivable held by the Company. As a result, the Company reclassified $2.1 million out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the three months ended June 30, 2014. The $1.9 million was also reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the three months ended June 30, 2013 as a result of the note receivable maturing during the period. Both notes receivables had been treated as debt securities, classified as available-for-sale, and carried at fair value in accordance with ASC Topic 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities.  As a result of this classification, unrealized gains on the notes receivables that arose were reflected within accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity.

NonControlling_Interests

Non-Controlling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Non-Controlling Interests	'
Non-Controlling Interests	'
	18. Non-Controlling Interests
	The Company consolidates the financial results of JGW LLC whereby it records a non-controlling interest for the economic interest in JGW LLC held by the Common Interestholders (see Note 2). Pursuant to an agreement between the Company and JGW LLC, any time the Company cancels, issues or repurchases shares of Class A common stock, JGW LLC cancels, issues or repurchases, as applicable, an equivalent number of Common Interests. In addition, any time Common Interestholders exchange their Common Interests for shares of Class A common stock, JGW LLC is required to transfer an equal number of Common Interests to the Company. Changes in the non-controlling and the Company’s interest in JGW LLC for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are presented in the following table:
		Total Common Interests Held By:
		The J.G. Wentworth		Non-controlling
		Company		Interests		Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	11,216,429		18,344,688		29,561,117
	JGW LLC common interests acquired by The J.G. Wentworth Company as a result of the issuance of restricted common stock.	3,268		—		3,268
	JGW LLC common interests acquired by The J.G. Wentworth Company as a result of the exchange of JGW LLC units for shares of Class A common stock.	3,123,517		(3,123,517	)	—
	JGW LLC common interests repurchased related to Class A common stock repurchased.	(88,020	)	—		(88,020	)
	Common interests forfeited.	—		(180,018	)	(180,018	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	14,255,194		15,041,153		29,296,347

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	19. Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) measures the performance of an entity over the reporting period. Diluted EPS measures the performance of an entity over the reporting period while giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period.
	In accordance with ASC 260 Earnings Per Share, all outstanding unvested share-based payments that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends and participate in the undistributed earnings with the common stockholders are considered participating securities. The shares of Class B common stock do not share in the earnings of the Company and are therefore not considered participating securities. Accordingly, basic and diluted net earnings per share of Class B common stock have not been presented. Furthermore, EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 is not presented since the Company was not a public company.
	In connection with the IPO and restructuring, Class C Profit Interests of JGW LLC held by PGHI Corp. were exchanged for a total of 966,434 warrants to purchase shares of Class A common stock (Note 18). For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, these warrants were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because they were antidilutive under the treasury stock method.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 1,265,500 stock options to purchase shares of Class A common stock to certain employees. The 602,596 weighted average stock options outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because they were antidilutive under the treasury stock method.
	Additionally, as discussed in Note 2, the operating agreement of JGW LLC gives Common Interestholders the right (subject to the terms of the operating agreement as described therein) to exchange their Common Interests for shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications. The Company applies the “if-converted” method to the Common Interests and vested restricted Common Interests in JGW LLC to determine the dilutive weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding. The Company applies the treasury stock method to the unvested restricted Common Interests and the “if-converted” method on the resulting number of additional Common Interests to determine the dilutive weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding represented by these interests.
	In computing the dilutive effect that the exchange of Common Interests and restricted Common Interests would have on EPS, the Company considered that net income available to holders of Class A common stock would increase due to the elimination of non-controlling interests (including any tax impact).  Based on these calculations, the 16,318,829 weighted average Common Interest and vested restricted Common Interests outstanding and the 707,028 weighted average unvested restricted Common Interests outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 were antidilutive.
	The following table is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted EPS calculations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2014
		(In thousands, except for shares and per share data)
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company Class A common stock	$	4,092	$	19,382
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	JGW LLC Common Interests and vested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	JGW LLC unvested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	Numerator for diluted EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company Class A common stock	$	4,092	$	19,382
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted average shares of Class A common stock	13,095,194		12,438,143
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—		—
	Warrants	—		—
	Restricted common stock and performance-based restricted stock units	3,801		2,184
	JGW LLC Common Interests and vested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	JGW LLC unvested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	Dilutive potential common shares	3,801		2,184
	Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted average shares of Class A common stock	13,098,995		12,440,327
	Basic income per share of Class A common stock	$	0.31	$	1.56
	Diluted income per share of Class A common stock	$	0.31	$	1.56

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-Based Compensation	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	20. Share-Based Compensation
	Under the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights units may be granted to officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company. As of September 30, 2014, 1.4 million shares of unissued Class A common stock were available for granting under this plan.
	Stock Options
	The fair value of stock option awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following assumptions and weighted average fair values:
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014
	Weighted average fair value of grant	$	4.81
	Risk-free interest rate	1.91		%
	Expected volatility	41.6		%
	Expected life of options in years	6.5
	Expected dividend yield	—
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of the stock options on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized $0.4 million and $0 of share-based compensation expense in connection with the stock options issued under the Plan, respectively.
	A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is as follows:
		Shares		Weighted -		Weighted - Average	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
				Average		Remaining Contractual	(Dollars in Millions)
				Exercise Price		Term (in years)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	264,047		$	14
	Granted	1,265,500		10.9
	Exercised	—		—
	Forfeited	(151,971	)	11.31
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	1,377,576		11.45		9.69	$	1.7
	Outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014	1,316,041		11.45		9.69	$	1.6
	Vested as of September 30, 2014	—		—		—	$	—
	The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax value of the difference between the closing price of Class A common stock on the last trading day of the period and the exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of in-the-money stock options that would have been received by the option holders had all the option holders exercised their options on September 30, 2014. The intrinsic value of the Company’s stock options changes based on the closing price of the Company’s stock. As of September 30, 2014, $6.6 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to the outstanding stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 4.7 years.
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
	A summary of performance-based restricted stock units for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Performance- Based		Weighted - Average
		Restricted Stock		Grant - Date Fair
		Units		Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	—		$	—
	Granted	184,000		10.48
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	(53,750	)	10.2
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	130,250		10.6
	Outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014	125,290		10.6
	Each performance-based unit will vest into 0 to 1.5 shares of Class A common stock depending to the degree to which the performance goals are met. Compensation expense resulting from these awards is recognized ratably from the date of the grant until the date the restrictions lapse and is based on the trading price of the Class A common stock on the date of grant and the probability of achievement of the specific performance-based goals. During the nine-months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized $0.2 million of share-based compensation expense in connection with these performance-based units.
	The aggregate grant-date fair value of the performance-based restricted stock units granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $1.9 million. As of September 30, 2014, there was $1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost relating to outstanding performance-based units that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years. None of the performance-based restricted stock units were vested as of September 30, 2014.
	Restricted Stock
	A summary of restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is as follows:
		Restricted Stock		Weighted - Average
		Shares		Grant - Date Fair
				Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	3,929		$	14
	Granted	3,268		16.54
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	—		—
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	7,197		15.15
	The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the trading price of Class A common stock on the date of grant. The aggregate grant-date fair value of the restricted stock granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $0.1 million. As of September 30, 2014, there was less than $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost relating to outstanding restricted stock that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.2 years. None of the restricted stock shares were vested as of September 30, 2014.
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted stock on a straight-line basis over the one year cliff vesting period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recognized $0.1 million of share-based compensation expense in connection with restricted stock.
	Restricted Common Interests in JGW LLC
	The following table summarizes the activities of Restricted Common Interests in JGW LLC for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
		Restricted Common		Weighted - Average
		Interests		Grant - Date Fair
				Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	1,661,054		$	4.95
	Granted	—		—
	Converted into shares of Class A common stock	(397,058	)	4.75
	Forfeited	(180,052	)	3.21
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	1,083,944		5.32
	Outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014	1,082,700		5.31
	Vested as of September 30, 2014	924,738		4.54
	Total stock compensation expense recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 related to the Restricted Common Interests was $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, there was $1.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding Restricted Common Interests that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.2 years. The aggregate weighted average grant date fair value of restricted common interests that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $1.5 million.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events	'
Subsequent Events	'
	21. Subsequent Events
	On October 7, 2014, the Company executed a merger pursuant to which a subsidiary of the Company merged with and into JGW Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of JLL Fund V AIF II, L.P (“JLL”), with JGW Holdings, Inc. surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. JLL received 715,916 newly issued shares of Class A common stock in the merger and the Company received $2.1 million in cash, 138,121 shares of Class A common stock, and approximately a 9.2% ownership interest in JLL JGW Distribution, LLC (“JLL Dist.”) held by JGW Holdings, Inc. in consideration for the assumption of the contingent future tax obligation of JGW Holdings, Inc. with a present value of approximately $4.4 million.
	As further consideration for the future tax obligations of JGW Holdings, Inc., JLL returned 47,440 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock received in the merger, which may or may not be cancelled by the Company in its sole discretion. In connection with the merger, the Company and JLL Dist. executed an agreement whereby on January 2, 2015 (or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter), JLL Dist. will repurchase the 9.2% ownership interest in it held by JGW Holdings, Inc. by delivering 715,916 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock and 715,916 Common Interests in JGW LLC.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Schedule of fair value of assets and liabilities	'
		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other			Significant
		Markets for Identical Assets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Total at
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	September 30, 2014:
	Assets
	Marketable Securities:
	Equity securities
	US large cap	$	37,394		$	—		$	—		$	37,394
	US mid cap	7,665			—			—			7,665
	US small cap	7,680			—			—			7,680
	International	18,140			—			—			18,140
	Other equity	1,161			—			—			1,161
	Total equity securities	72,040			—			—			72,040
	Fixed income securities
	US fixed income	21,432			—			—			21,432
	International fixed income	4,146			—			—			4,146
	Other fixed income	26			—			—			26
	Total fixed income securities	25,604			—			—			25,604
	Other securities
	Cash & cash equivalents	4,300			—			—			4,300
	Alternative investments	2,089			—			—			2,089
	Annuities	2,457			—			—			2,457
	Total other securities	8,846			—			—			8,846
	Total marketable securities	106,490			—			—			106,490
	VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	—			—			4,356,458			4,356,458
	Notes receivable at fair market value	—			—			—			—
	Life settlements contracts, at fair market value (1)	—			—			—			—
	Total Assets	$	106,490		$	—		$	4,356,458		$	4,462,948
	Liabilities
	VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	$	—		$	—		$	3,836,856		$	3,836,856
	VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	—			70,016			—			70,016
	Total Liabilities	$	—		$	70,016		$	3,836,856		3,906,872
	(1)     Included in other assets on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.
		Quoted Prices in Active			Significant Other			Significant
		Markets for Identical Assets			Observable Inputs			Unobservable Inputs			Total at
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
		(In thousands)
	December 31, 2013:
	Assets
	Marketable Securities:
	Equity securities
	US large cap	$	41,821		$	—		$	—		$	41,821
	US mid cap	9,769			—			—			9,769
	US small cap	10,212			—			—			10,212
	International	19,938			—			—			19,938
	Other equity	936			—			—			936
	Total equity securities	82,676			—			—			82,676
	Fixed income securities
	US fixed income	26,713			—			—			26,713
	International fixed income	4,089			—			—			4,089
	Other fixed income	29			—			—			29
	Total fixed income securities	30,831			—			—			30,831
	Other securities
	Cash & cash equivalents	5,534			—			—			5,534
	Alternative investments	705			—			—			705
	Annuities	2,208			—			—			2,208
	Total other securities	8,447			—			—			8,447
	Total marketable securities	121,954			—			—			121,954
	VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	—			—			3,870,649			3,870,649
	Notes receivable at fair market value	—			—			5,610			5,610
	Life settlements contracts, at fair market value (1)	—			—			—			—
	Total Assets	$	121,954		$	—		$	3,876,259		$	3,998,213
Liabilities
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	$	—		$	—		$	3,431,283		$	3,431,283
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	—			70,296			—			70,296
Total Liabilities	$	—		$	70,296		$	3,431,283		3,501,579
(1)     Included in other assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Schedule of the Company's quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements	'
									Range
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		(Weighted Average)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	September 30, 2014:
	Assets
	VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	$	4,356,458		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		2.56% - 12.82% (3.68%)
	Life settlement contracts, at fair market value	—			Model actuarial pricing		Life expectancy		5 to 241 months (139)
							Discount rate		18.50% (18.50%)
	Total Assets	$	4,356,458
	Liabilities
	VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		0.68% - 12.82% (3.39%)
	Total Liabilities	$	3,836,856
									Range
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		(Weighted Average)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2013:
	Assets
	VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	$	3,870,649		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		2.79% - 13.69% (4.33%)
	Notes receivable, at fair market value	5,610			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		7.85% (7.85%)
	Life settlement contracts, at fair market value	—			Model actuarial pricing		Life expectancy		14 to 250 months (148)
							Discount rate		18.50% (18.50%)
	Total Assets	$	3,876,259
	Liabilities
	VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,431,283			Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		0.73% - 12.70% (3.94%)
	Total Liabilities	$	3,431,283
Schedule of changes in assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'
		VIE and other			Life settlement			Notes receivable, at			Total
		finance receivables,			contracts, at fair			fair market value
		at fair market value			market value
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	3,870,649		$	—		$	5,610		$	3,876,259
	Total gains (losses):
	Included in earnings / losses	398,987			(116		)	2,098			400,969
	Included in other comprehensive gain	—			—			(1,615		)	(1,615		)
	Purchases of finance receivables	320,485			—			—			320,485
	Life insurance premiums paid	—			116			—			116
	Interest accreted	123,140			—			—			123,140
	Payments received	(356,803		)	—			(6,093		)	(362,896		)
	Maturities	—			—			—			—
	Asset distribution	—			—			—			—
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—			—			—			—
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	4,356,458		$	—		$	—		$	4,356,458
	The amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held as of:
	September 30, 2014	$	398,987		$	(116	)	$	—		$	398,871
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,615,188		$	1,724		$	8,074		$	3,624,986
	Total gains (losses):
	Included in earnings / losses	197,429			(22		)	1,862			199,269
	Included in other comprehensive gain	—			—			(1,360		)	(1,360		)
	Purchases of finance receivables	300,452			—			—			300,452
	Life insurance premiums paid	—			241			—			241
	Interest accreted	107,784			—			—			107,784
	Payments received	(322,345		)	—			(2,338		)	(324,683		)
	Maturities	—			(51		)	—			(51		)
	Asset distribution	(9,615		)	(1,892		)	—			(11,507		)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—			—			—			—
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,888,893		$	—		$	6,238		$	3,895,131
	The amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held as of:
	September 30, 2013	$	197,429		$	31		$	—		$	197,460
Schedule of changes in liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'
		VIE long-term debt issued
		by securitizations and
		permanent financing
		trusts
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	3,431,283
	Net (gains) losses:
	Included in earnings / losses	177,420
	Issuances	473,782
	Interest accreted	(28,944		)
	Repayments	(216,685		)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	3,836,856
	The amount of net (gains) losses for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to long-term debt still held as of:
	September 30, 2014	$	177,667
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,229,591
	Net (gains) losses:
	Included in earnings / losses	23,769
	Issuances	406,240
	Interest accreted	(35,863		)
	Repayments	(185,876		)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	—
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	3,437,861
	The amount of net (gains) losses for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to long-term debt still held as of:
	September 30, 2013	$	23,769
Schedule of realized and unrealized gains and losses included in revenues in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations	'
		VIE and other finance			Life settlement
		receivables and long-			contracts income
		term debt
		(In thousands)
	Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2014	$	59,467		$	—
	Unrealized gains (losses) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2014	$	59,197		$	—
	Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2014	$	221,567		$	(116	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2014	$	221,320		$	(116	)
	Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2013	$	46,020		$	51
	Unrealized gains (losses) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2013	$	46,020		$	51
	Net gains (losses) included in revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2013	$	173,660		$	(22	)
	Unrealized gains (losses) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 relating to assets still held as of September 30, 2013	$	173,660		$	31
Schedule of estimated fair values of financial instruments	'
		September 30,						December 31,
		2014						2013
		(In thousands)
		Estimated						Estimated
		Fair			Carrying			Fair			Carrying
		Value			Amount			Value			Amount
	Financial assets
	Marketable securities	$	106,490		$	106,490		$	121,954		$	121,954
	VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	4,356,458			4,356,458			3,870,649			3,870,649
	VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses (1)	125,495			132,888			126,502			132,992
	Notes receivable, at fair market value	—			—			5,610			5,610
	Other receivables, net of allowance for losses (1)	12,281			12,281			13,529			13,529
	Financial liabilities
	VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016			70,016			70,296			70,296
	VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings (1)	27,367			25,358			42,275			41,274
	VIE long-term debt (1)	178,145			183,310			147,112			150,802
	VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856			3,836,856			3,431,283			3,431,283
	Installment obligations payable (1)	106,490			106,490			121,954			121,954
	Term loan payable (1)	436,433			436,433			434,184			434,184
	(1)     These represent financial instruments not recorded in the condensed  consolidated balance sheets at fair value.  Such financial instruments would be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab2

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, at Fair Market Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of VIE and other finance receivables for which the fair value option was elected	'
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Maturity value	$	6,366,367		$	5,917,596
	Unearned income	(2,009,909		)	(2,046,947		)
	Net carrying amount	$	4,356,458		$	3,870,649
Schedule of encumbrances on VIE and other finance receivables, at fair value	'
	Encumbrance	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	VIE securitization debt (2)	$	4,207,005		$	3,742,218
	$100 million credit facility (1)	—			11,073
	$50 million credit facility (1)	—			—
	$300 million credit facility (1)	—			16,681
	$300 million credit facility (1)	10,024			7,568
	$100 million permanent financing related to 2011-A (2)	57,925			41,164
	Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	4,274,954			3,818,704
	Not encumbered	81,504			51,945
	Total VIE and other finance receivables at fair value	$	4,356,458		$	3,870,649
	(1)     See Note 8
	(2)     See Note 10
Schedule of servicing fee	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
		(In thousands)
	Servicing fees	$	230		$	239		$	691	$	714

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab3

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	Structured settlements and annuities	$	76,994		$	75,894
	Less: unearned income	(50,024		)	(49,751		)
		26,970			26,143
	Lottery winnings	83,273			87,495
	Less: unearned income	(25,427		)	(28,442		)
		57,846			59,053
	Pre-settlement funding transactions	57,736			56,309
	Less: deferred revenue	(1,628		)	(2,240		)
		56,108			54,069
	Attorney cost financing	1,421			2,069
	Less: deferred revenue	—			—
		1,421			2,069
	VIE and other finance receivables, gross	142,345			141,334
	Less: allowance for losses	(9,457		)	(8,342		)
	VIE and other finance receivables, net	$	132,888		$	132,992
Schedule of encumbrances on VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'
	Encumbrance	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	VIE securitization debt (2)	$	76,113		$	78,575
	$35 million pre-settlement credit facility (1)	29,003			25,047
	$45.1 million long-term pre-settlement facility (2)	7,544			11,680
	$2.5 million long-term facility (2)	1,793			2,524
	Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	114,453			117,826
	Not encumbered	18,435			15,166
	Total VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowances	$	132,888		$	132,992
	(1)     See Note 8
	(2)     See Note 9
Schedule of activity in the allowance for losses for VIE and other finance receivables	'
		Structured			Lottery			Pre-settlement			Life insurance			Attorney cost			Total
		settlements and						funding transactions			premium financing			financing
		annuities
		(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(8,642	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(8,984	)
	Provision for loss	(6		)	—			(1,049		)	—			—			(1,055		)
	Charge-offs	6			—			598			—			—			604
	Recoveries	—			—			(22		)	—			—			(22		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(9,115	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(9,457	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	(48	)	$	—		$	(8,011	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(8,342	)
	Provision for loss	(14		)	(8		)	(3,251		)	—			—			(3,273		)
	Charge-offs	110			29			2,169			—			—			2,308
	Recoveries	(103		)	(25		)	(22		)	—			—			(150		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(9,115	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(9,457	)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(2,874	)	$	—		$	—		$	(2,933	)
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			(6,241		)	—			(283		)	(6,524		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	(55	)	$	(4	)	$	(9,115	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(9,457	)
	VIE and other finance receivables, net:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	26,915		$	57,842		$	3,346		$	—		$	—		$	88,103
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			43,647			—			1,138			44,785
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	26,915		$	57,842		$	46,993		$	—		$	1,138		$	132,888
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	(182	)	$	—		$	(6,282	)	$	—		$	(293	)	$	(6,757	)
	Provision for loss	51			85			(1,836		)	—			10			(1,690		)
	Charge-offs	85			—			1,064			—			—			1,149
	Recoveries	—			(85		)	—			—			—			(85		)
	Other	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(7,054	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(7,383	)
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Allowance for losses:
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	(181	)	$	(6	)	$	(4,194	)	$	—		$	(269	)	$	(4,650	)
	Provision for loss	(88		)	96			(4,370		)	2			(14		)	(4,374		)
	Charge-offs	224			35			1,510			—			—			1,769
	Recoveries	(1		)	(125		)	—			(2		)	—			(128		)
	Other	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(7,054	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(7,383	)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(2,095	)	$	—		$	—		$	(2,141	)
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			(4,959		)	—			(283		)	(5,242		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	(46	)	$	—		$	(7,054	)	$	—		$	(283	)	$	(7,383	)
	VIE and other finance receivables, net:
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	26,042		$	59,732		$	2,514		$	—		$	—		$	88,288
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	—			—			43,020			—			2,197			45,217
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	26,042		$	59,732		$	45,534		$	—		$	2,197		$	133,505
Schedule of gross pre-settlement funding transactions based on their year of origination	'
	Year of	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	Origination
		(In thousands)
	2009	$	3,415		$	4,578
	2010	4,450			5,740
	2011	7,669			10,915
	2012	12,244			17,527
	2013	12,431			17,549
	2014	17,527			—
		$	57,736		$	56,309
Schedule of portfolio delinquency status excluding presettlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing	'
																				VIE and Other
		30-59			60-89			Greater									VIE and Other			Finance
																	Finance			Receivables, net
		Days			Days			than			Total						Receivables,			> 90 days
		Past Due			Past Due			90 Days			Past Due			Current			net			accruing
		(In thousands)
	As of September 30, 2014:
	Structured settlements and annuities	$	33		$	7		$	195		$	235		$	26,735		$	26,970		$	—
	Lottery winnings	1			1			123			125			57,721			57,846			—
	Total	$	34		$	8		$	318		$	360		$	84,456		$	84,816		$	—
	As of December 31, 2013:
	Structured settlements and annuities	$	4		$	1		$	62		$	67		$	26,028		$	26,095		$	—
	Lottery winnings	—			—			18			18			59,035			59,053			—
	Total	$	4		$	1		$	80		$	85		$	85,063		$	85,148		$	—

VIE_Borrowings_Under_Revolving1

VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings	'
Schedule of VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings	'
			September 30,		December 31,
		Entity	2014		2013
			(In thousands)
	$100 million variable funding note facility with interest payable monthly at 9.0%, collateralized by JGW-S III, LLC (“JGW-S III”) structured settlements receivables, 2-year revolving period with 18 months amortization period thereafter upon notice by the issuer or the note holder with all principal and interest outstanding payable no later than October 15, 2048. JGW-S III is charged monthly an unused fee of 1.00% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW-S III	$	—	$	7,535
	$50 million credit facility, interest payable monthly at the rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin (3.40% as of September 30, 2014 and 3.42% as of December 31, 2013) maturing on October 2, 2016, collateralized by JGW IV, LLC (“JGW IV”)’s structured settlements and annuity receivables. JGW IV is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.50% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW IV	6		—
	$300 million multi-tranche and lender credit facility with interest payable monthly. The Facility was revised on July 24, 2013 as follows: Tranche A rate comprises 3.0% and either the LIBOR or the Commercial Paper rate depending on the lender (3.15% and 3.25% as of September 30, 2014 and 3.17% and 3.29% at December 31, 2013). Tranche B rate is 5.5% plus LIBOR (5.65% as of September 30, 2014, 5.67% at December 31, 2013). The facility matures on July 24, 2016 and is collateralized by JGW V, LLC (“JGW V”) structured settlements, annuity and lottery receivables. JGW V is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.625% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW V	—		10,985
	$300 million credit facility, interest payable monthly at 2.75% plus an applicable margin (2.98% as of September 30, 2014 and 2.95% at December 31, 2013), maturing on November 15, 2016, collateralized by JGW VII, LLC (“JGW VII”) structured settlements, annuity and lottery receivables. JGW VII is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.50% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	JGW VII	6,963		5,769
	$35 million multi class credit facility with interest payable monthly as follows: Class A rate comprises the lender’s “prime rate” plus 1.00%, subject to a floor of 4.50% (4.50% as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013). Class B rate comprises the Class A rate plus 1.00% (5.50% as of September 30 2014 and December 31, 2013). The facility matures December 31, 2014 and is collateralized by certain pre-settlement receivables. Peach One is charged monthly an unused fee of 0.50% per annum for the undrawn balance of its line of credit.	Peach One	18,389		16,985
	Total		$	25,358	$	41,274

VIE_LongTerm_Debt_Tables

VIE Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of VIE long-term debt	'
		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
	PLMT Permanent Facility	$	44,731	$	47,267
	Residual Term Facility	107,329		68,785
	Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility	9,657		12,435
	2012-A Facility	1,558		2,276
	LCSS Facility (2010-C)	12,876		12,880
	LCSS Facility (2010-D)	7,159		7,159
	Total	$	183,310	$	150,802

VIE_Longterm_Debt_Issued_by_Se1

VIE Long-term Debt Issued by Securitization and Permanent Financing trusts, at Fair Market Value (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Summary of securitization SPE transaction	'
		2014-2		2014-1
		(bond proceeds in $ millions)
	Issue date	7/23/14		2/18/14
	Bond proceeds	$227.40		$233.90
	Receivables securitized	3,744		4,128
	Deal discount rate	3.95%		4.24%
	Retained interest %	5.50%		6.00%
	Class allocation (Moody’s)
	Aaa	84.00%		85.25%
	Baa2	10.50%		8.75%
		2013-2		2013-1
		(bond proceeds in $ millions)
	Issue date	7/30/13		3/20/13
	Bond proceeds	$174.60		$216.50
	Receivables securitized	3,410		3,949
	Deal discount rate	4.49%		3.65%
	Retained interest %	6.75%		6.75%
	Class allocation (Moody’s)
	Aaa	85.25%		85.25%
	Baa2	8.00%		8.00%
Summary of notes issued by securitization trusts and permanent financing trusts for which the Company has elected the fair value option	'
		Outstanding			Outstanding		Fair Value		Fair Value
		Principal as of			Principal as of		as of		as of
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013		September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
		(In Thousands)
	Securitization trusts	$	3,323,495		$	3,063,520	$	3,576,195	$	3,177,404
	Permanent financing VIEs	254,240			256,914		260,661		253,879
	Total	$	3,577,735		$	3,320,434	$	3,836,856	$	3,431,283

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
Schedule of notional amounts and fair values of the Company's interest rate swaps	'
			Notional Value as of		Fair Market Value as of			Notional Value as of		Fair Market Value as of
	Entity	Securitization	September 30, 2014		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013		December 31, 2013
			(In Thousands)
	321 Henderson I	2004-A A-1	$	34,332	$	(3,007	)	$	40,734	$	(3,745	)
	321 Henderson I	2005-1 A-1	62,704		(7,269		)	73,269		(8,559		)
	321 Henderson II	2006-1 A-1	16,830		(1,580		)	20,976		(2,137		)
	322 Henderson II	2006-2 A-1	20,858		(2,696		)	23,620		(3,202		)
	323 Henderson II	2006-3 A-1	22,443		(2,478		)	25,902		(3,023		)
	324 Henderson II	2006-4 A-1	21,265		(2,125		)	23,842		(2,643		)
	325 Henderson II	2007-1 A-2	34,585		(5,225		)	39,364		(5,159		)
	326 Henderson II	2007-2 A-3	38,660		(8,294		)	41,544		(8,015		)
	JGW V, LLC	—	—		—			10,985		16
	PSS	—	182,406		(28,157		)	192,444		(25,120		)
	PLMT	—	53,901		(9,185		)	56,942		(8,709		)
	Total		$	487,984	$	(70,016	)	$	549,622	$	(70,296	)

Restructure_Expense_Tables

Restructure Expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructure Expense	'
Schedule of reconciliation of the associated restructure liability	'
		Total
		(In thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	921
	Restructuring expense	(141		)
	Payments for restructuring charges	(709		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	71

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity	'
Schedule of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	Period	Details about accumulated	Amount reclassified from			Affected line item in the
		other comprehensive income	accumulated other			unaudited condensed
		components	comprehensive income			consolidated statement of
						operations
			(In Thousands)
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014	Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	$	2,098		Realized gain (loss) on notes receivable, at fair value
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013	Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	$	(1,862	)	Realized gain (loss) on notes receivable, at fair value

NonControlling_Interests_Table

Non-Controlling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Non-Controlling Interests	'
Schedule of changes in the non-controlling and JGWPT Holdings Inc.'s interests in Holdings LLC	'
		Total Common Interests Held By:
		The J.G. Wentworth		Non-controlling
		Company		Interests		Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	11,216,429		18,344,688		29,561,117
	JGW LLC common interests acquired by The J.G. Wentworth Company as a result of the issuance of restricted common stock.	3,268		—		3,268
	JGW LLC common interests acquired by The J.G. Wentworth Company as a result of the exchange of JGW LLC units for shares of Class A common stock.	3,123,517		(3,123,517	)	—
	JGW LLC common interests repurchased related to Class A common stock repurchased.	(88,020	)	—		(88,020	)
	Common interests forfeited.	—		(180,018	)	(180,018	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2014	14,255,194		15,041,153		29,296,347

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Schedule of reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the basic and diluted EPS calculations	'
		Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014		September 30, 2014
		(In thousands, except for shares and per share data)
	Numerator:
	Numerator for basic EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company Class A common stock	$	4,092	$	19,382
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	JGW LLC Common Interests and vested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	JGW LLC unvested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	Numerator for diluted EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company Class A common stock	$	4,092	$	19,382
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted average shares of Class A common stock	13,095,194		12,438,143
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	—		—
	Warrants	—		—
	Restricted common stock and performance-based restricted stock units	3,801		2,184
	JGW LLC Common Interests and vested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	JGW LLC unvested restricted Common Interests	—		—
	Dilutive potential common shares	3,801		2,184
	Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted average shares of Class A common stock	13,098,995		12,440,327
	Basic income per share of Class A common stock	$	0.31	$	1.56
	Diluted income per share of Class A common stock	$	0.31	$	1.56

Sharebased_Compensation_Tables

Share-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-Based Compensation	'
Schedule of assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes valuation model	'
		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2014
	Weighted average fair value of grant	$	4.81
	Risk-free interest rate	1.91		%
	Expected volatility	41.6		%
	Expected life of options in years	6.5
	Expected dividend yield	—
Summary of stock option activity	'
		Shares		Weighted -		Weighted - Average	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
				Average		Remaining Contractual	(Dollars in Millions)
				Exercise Price		Term (in years)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	264,047		$	14
	Granted	1,265,500		10.9
	Exercised	—		—
	Forfeited	(151,971	)	11.31
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	1,377,576		11.45		9.69	$	1.7
	Outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014	1,316,041		11.45		9.69	$	1.6
	Vested as of September 30, 2014	—		—		—	$	—
Summary of performance-based restricted stock units	'
		Performance- Based		Weighted - Average
		Restricted Stock		Grant - Date Fair
		Units		Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	—		$	—
	Granted	184,000		10.48
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	(53,750	)	10.2
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	130,250		10.6
	Outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014	125,290		10.6
Summary of restricted stock activity	'
		Restricted Stock		Weighted - Average
		Shares		Grant - Date Fair
				Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	3,929		$	14
	Granted	3,268		16.54
	Vested	—		—
	Forfeited	—		—
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	7,197		15.15
Summary of Restricted Common Interests in JGW, LLC	'
		Restricted Common		Weighted - Average
		Interests		Grant - Date Fair
				Value
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2013	1,661,054		$	4.95
	Granted	—		—
	Converted into shares of Class A common stock	(397,058	)	4.75
	Forfeited	(180,052	)	3.21
	Outstanding as of September 30, 2014	1,083,944		5.32
	Outstanding, vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2014	1,082,700		5.31
	Vested as of September 30, 2014	924,738		4.54

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen1

Background and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
					Merger Sub	Merger Sub	Merger Sub
Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	48.70%	48.70%	37.90%
Non-controlling interest (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	51.30%	51.30%	62.10%
Ownership percentage of weighted average economic interests	'	'	'	'	44.70%	42.20%	'
Non-controlling weighted average economic interests (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	55.30%	57.80%	'
Tax provision attributable to The J.G. Wentworth Company	$2,600,000	'	$15,900,000	'	'	'	'
Total tax provision	$2,176,000	$146,000	$16,169,000	$1,301,000	'	'	'

Business_Changes_and_Developme1

Business Changes and Developments (Details) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Nov. 14, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Nov. 14, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Tax Receivable Agreement

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class B Common Stock

Class B Common Stock

Class C Shares

Class C Shares

Class C Shares

Tax Receivable Agreement

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

Underwriter's overallotment option

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

PGHI Corp

Minimum

Business Changes and Developments.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued in initial public offering

'

'

'

11,212,500

'

'

'

'

1,462,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net proceeds from initial public offering

'

'

'

$141.30

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common interests acquired

'

11,212,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest (as a percent)

'

37.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$0.00

$0.00

'

'

'

'

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

'

Shares issued pursuant to merger

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

1

Share exchange ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

1

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

Common interest holders ownership percentage (as a percent)

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash savings in income tax to be paid to common interest holders (as a percent)

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Variable Interest Entities	'
Minimum expected life of consolidated VIEs	'20 years

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Notes receivable, at fair market value	'	'
Amortized cost of the notes receivable	'	6,200,000
Maximum recovery period of other receivables	'3 months	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total marketable securities	106,490,000	121,954,000
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	4,356,458,000	3,870,649,000
Notes receivable, at fair market value	'	5,610,000	[1]
Liabilities	'	'
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856,000	3,431,283,000
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016,000	70,296,000
VIE and other finance receivables	'	'
Assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value	'	'
Discount rate for discounting residual cash flows (as a percent)	6.38%	7.85%
Weighted average life	'20 years	'20 years
Loss assumption (as a percent)	0.25%	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	72,040,000	82,676,000
Total fixed income securities	25,604,000	30,831,000
Total other securities	8,846,000	8,447,000
Total marketable securities	106,490,000	121,954,000
Total Assets	106,490,000	121,954,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | US large cap	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	37,394,000	41,821,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | US mid cap	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	7,665,000	9,769,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | US small cap	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	7,680,000	10,212,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | International	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	18,140,000	19,938,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Other equity	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	1,161,000	936,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | US fixed income	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total fixed income securities	21,432,000	26,713,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | International fixed income	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total fixed income securities	4,146,000	4,089,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Other fixed income	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total fixed income securities	26,000	29,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Cash & cash equivalents	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total other securities	4,300,000	5,534,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Alternative investments	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total other securities	2,089,000	705,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 | Annuities	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total other securities	2,457,000	2,208,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016,000	70,296,000
Total Liabilities	70,016,000	70,296,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	4,356,458,000	3,870,649,000
Notes receivable, at fair market value	'	5,610,000
Total Assets	4,356,458,000	3,876,259,000
Liabilities	'	'
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856,000	3,431,283,000
Total Liabilities	3,836,856,000	3,431,283,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Total Liabilities	3,836,856,000	3,431,283,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total Assets	4,356,458,000	3,870,649,000
Total at Fair Value	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	72,040,000	82,676,000
Total fixed income securities	25,604,000	30,831,000
Total other securities	8,846,000	8,447,000
Total marketable securities	106,490,000	121,954,000
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	4,356,458,000	3,870,649,000
Notes receivable, at fair market value	'	5,610,000
Total Assets	4,462,948,000	3,998,213,000
Liabilities	'	'
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856,000	3,431,283,000
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016,000	70,296,000
Total Liabilities	3,906,872,000	3,501,579,000
Total at Fair Value | US large cap	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	37,394,000	41,821,000
Total at Fair Value | US mid cap	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	7,665,000	9,769,000
Total at Fair Value | US small cap	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	7,680,000	10,212,000
Total at Fair Value | International	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	18,140,000	19,938,000
Total at Fair Value | Other equity	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total equity securities	1,161,000	936,000
Total at Fair Value | US fixed income	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total fixed income securities	21,432,000	26,713,000
Total at Fair Value | International fixed income	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total fixed income securities	4,146,000	4,089,000
Total at Fair Value | Other fixed income	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total fixed income securities	26,000	29,000
Total at Fair Value | Cash & cash equivalents	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total other securities	4,300,000	5,534,000
Total at Fair Value | Alternative investments	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total other securities	2,089,000	705,000
Total at Fair Value | Annuities	'	'
Marketable securities:	'	'
Total other securities	2,457,000	2,208,000
[1]	Pledged as collateral to credit and long-term debt facilities

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Minimum	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Life expectancy	'5 months	'14 months
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Maximum	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Life expectancy	'241 months	'250 months
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Weighted Avg	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Life expectancy	'139 months	'148 months
Level 3	'	'
Quantitative information about fair value measurements	'	'
Fair Value of Assets	4,356,458	3,876,259
Fair Value of Liabilities	3,836,856	3,431,283
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	'	'
Quantitative information about fair value measurements	'	'
Fair Value of Liabilities	3,836,856	3,431,283
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Minimum	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	0.68%	0.73%
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Maximum	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	12.82%	12.70%
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.39%	3.94%
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'	'
Quantitative information about fair value measurements	'	'
Fair Value of Assets	4,356,458	3,870,649
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Minimum	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	2.56%	2.79%
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Maximum	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	12.82%	13.69%
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.68%	4.33%
Level 3 | Notes receivable, at fair market value	'	'
Quantitative information about fair value measurements	'	'
Fair Value of Assets	'	5,610
Level 3 | Notes receivable, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	'	7.85%
Level 3 | Notes receivable, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	'	7.85%
Level 3 | Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Model actuarial pricing	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	18.50%	18.50%
Level 3 | Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Model actuarial pricing | Weighted Avg	'	'
Unobservable Input	'	'
Discount rate (as a percent)	18.50%	18.50%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail2

Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in assets	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$3,876,259	$3,624,986
Total gains (losses) included in earnings / losses	400,969	199,269
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive gain	-1,615	-1,360
Purchases of finance receivables	320,485	300,452
Life insurance premiums paid	116	241
Interest accreted	123,140	107,784
Payments received	-362,896	-324,683
Maturities	'	-51
Asset distribution	'	-11,507
Balance at the end of the period	4,356,458	3,895,131
Amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the end of the period	398,871	197,460
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'	'
Changes in assets	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	3,870,649	3,615,188
Total gains (losses) included in earnings / losses	398,987	197,429
Purchases of finance receivables	320,485	300,452
Interest accreted	123,140	107,784
Payments received	-356,803	-322,345
Asset distribution	'	-9,615
Balance at the end of the period	4,356,458	3,888,893
Amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the end of the period	398,987	197,429
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value	'	'
Changes in assets	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	1,724
Total gains (losses) included in earnings / losses	-116	-22
Life insurance premiums paid	116	241
Maturities	'	-51
Asset distribution	'	-1,892
Amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at the end of the period	-116	31
Notes receivable, at fair market value	'	'
Changes in assets	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	5,610	8,074
Total gains (losses) included in earnings / losses	2,098	1,862
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive gain	-1,615	-1,360
Payments received	-6,093	-2,338
Balance at the end of the period	'	$6,238

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail3

Fair Value Measurements (Details 4) (VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	'	'
Changes in liabilities	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$3,431,283	$3,229,591
Net (gains) losses included in earnings / losses	177,420	23,769
Issuances	473,782	406,240
Interest accreted	-28,944	-35,863
Repayments	-216,685	-185,876
Balance at the end of the period	3,836,856	3,437,861
Amount of net gains (losses) for the period included in revenues attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to long-term debt still held at the end of the period	$177,667	$23,769

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail4

Fair Value Measurements (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
VIE and other finance receivables and long-term debt	'	'	'	'
Realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings	'	'	'	'
Net gains (losses) included in revenues	$59,467	$46,020	$221,567	$173,660
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held	59,197	46,020	221,320	173,660
Life settlement contracts income	'	'	'	'
Realized and unrealized gains and losses included in earnings	'	'	'	'
Net gains (losses) included in revenues	'	51	'	-22
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held	($116)	$51	($116)	$31

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail5

Fair Value Measurements (Details 6) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets	'	'
Marketable securities	$106,490	$121,954
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	4,356,458	3,870,649
Notes receivable at fair market value	'	5,610	[1]
Other receivables, net of allowance for losses	12,281	13,529
Financial liabilities	'	'
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016	70,296
VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings	25,358	41,274
VIE long-term debt	183,310	150,802
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856	3,431,283
Installment obligations payable	106,490	121,954
Estimated Fair Value	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Marketable securities	106,490	121,954
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	4,356,458	3,870,649
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	125,495	126,502
Notes receivable at fair market value	'	5,610
Other receivables, net of allowance for losses	12,281	13,529
Financial liabilities	'	'
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016	70,296
VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings	27,367	42,275
VIE long-term debt	178,145	147,112
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856	3,431,283
Installment obligations payable	106,490	121,954
Term loan payable	436,433	434,184
Carrying Amount	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Marketable securities	106,490	121,954
VIE and other finance receivables at fair market value	4,356,458	3,870,649
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	132,888	132,992
Notes receivable at fair market value	'	5,610
Other receivables, net of allowance for losses	12,281	13,529
Financial liabilities	'	'
VIE derivative liabilities, at fair market value	70,016	70,296
VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings	25,358	41,274
VIE long-term debt	183,310	150,802
VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value	3,836,856	3,431,283
Installment obligations payable	106,490	121,954
Term loan payable	$436,433	$434,184
[1]	Pledged as collateral to credit and long-term debt facilities

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab4

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, at Fair Market Value (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Maturity value	$6,366,367,000		'	$6,366,367,000		'	$5,917,596,000
Unearned income	-2,009,909,000		'	-2,009,909,000		'	-2,046,947,000
Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	4,274,954,000	[1]	'	4,274,954,000	[1]	'	3,818,704,000	[1]
Not encumbered	81,504,000		'	81,504,000		'	51,945,000
Total VIE and other finance receivables at fair value	4,356,458,000		'	4,356,458,000		'	3,870,649,000
Servicing fees	230,000		239,000	691,000		714,000	'
Variable funding note facility	'		'	'		'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	'		'	'		'	11,073,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000		'	100,000,000		'	100,000,000
Credit facility	'		'	'		'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000		'	50,000,000		'	'
Multi-tranche and lender credit facility	'		'	'		'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	'		'	'		'	16,681,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	300,000,000		'	300,000,000		'	300,000,000
Permanent financing related to 2011-A	'		'	'		'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	57,925,000		'	57,925,000		'	41,164,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000		'	100,000,000		'	100,000,000
VIE securitization debt	'		'	'		'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	4,207,005,000		'	4,207,005,000		'	3,742,218,000
JGW VII, LLC | Credit facility	'		'	'		'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value	'		'	'		'	'
Total VIE finance receivables at fair value	10,024,000		'	10,024,000		'	7,568,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$300,000,000		'	$300,000,000		'	$300,000,000
[1]	Pledged as collateral to credit and long-term debt facilities

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab5

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses (Details) (VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finance receivables, gross	$142,345	'	$141,334	'	'	'
Less: allowance for losses	-9,457	-8,984	-8,342	-7,383	-6,757	-4,650
Finance receivables, net	132,888	'	132,992	133,505	'	'
Structured settlements and annuities	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finance receivable before unearned income or deferred revenue	76,994	'	75,894	'	'	'
Less: unearned income or deferred revenue	-50,024	'	-49,751	'	'	'
Finance receivables, gross	26,970	'	26,143	'	'	'
Less: allowance for losses	-55	-55	-48	-46	-182	-181
Finance receivables, net	26,915	'	'	26,042	'	'
Lottery winnings	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finance receivable before unearned income or deferred revenue	83,273	'	87,495	'	'	'
Less: unearned income or deferred revenue	-25,427	'	-28,442	'	'	'
Finance receivables, gross	57,846	'	59,053	'	'	'
Less: allowance for losses	-4	-4	'	'	'	-6
Finance receivables, net	57,842	'	'	59,732	'	'
Pre-settlement funding transactions	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finance receivable before unearned income or deferred revenue	57,736	'	56,309	'	'	'
Less: unearned income or deferred revenue	-1,628	'	-2,240	'	'	'
Finance receivables, gross	56,108	'	54,069	'	'	'
Less: allowance for losses	-9,115	-8,642	-8,011	-7,054	-6,282	-4,194
Finance receivables, net	46,993	'	'	45,534	'	'
Attorney cost financing	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and other finance receivables, net of allowance for losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Finance receivable before unearned income or deferred revenue	1,421	'	2,069	'	'	'
Finance receivables, gross	1,421	'	2,069	'	'	'
Less: allowance for losses	-283	-283	-283	-283	-293	-269
Finance receivables, net	$1,138	'	'	$2,197	'	'

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab6

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Credit facility	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	$50,000,000	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	114,453,000	117,826,000	'
Not encumbered	18,435,000	15,166,000	'
Finance receivables, net	132,888,000	132,992,000	133,505,000
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net | VIE securitization debt	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	76,113,000	78,575,000	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net | $45.1 million long-term pre-settlement facility	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	7,544,000	11,680,000	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	45,100,000	45,100,000	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net | $2.5 Long-term facility	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	1,793,000	2,524,000	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	2,500,000	2,500,000	'
Peach One | Credit facility	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	35,000,000	35,000,000	'
Peach One | VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net | Credit facility	'	'	'
Encumbrances on financing receivable	'	'	'
Total VIE finance receivables, net of allowances	$29,003,000	$25,047,000	'

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab7

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses (Details 3) (VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net, USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Structured settlements and annuities

Structured settlements and annuities

Structured settlements and annuities

Structured settlements and annuities

Lottery

Lottery

Lottery

Lottery

Pre-settlement funding transactions

Pre-settlement funding transactions

Pre-settlement funding transactions

Pre-settlement funding transactions

Pre-settlement funding transactions

Life insurance premium financing

Attorney cost financing

Attorney cost financing

Attorney cost financing

Attorney cost financing

Attorney cost financing

Pre-settlement funding transactions and attorney cost financing

Activity in the allowance for losses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at beginning of year

($8,984,000)

($6,757,000)

($8,342,000)

($4,650,000)

'

($55,000)

($182,000)

($48,000)

($181,000)

'

'

($6,000)

($4,000)

($8,642,000)

($6,282,000)

($8,011,000)

($4,194,000)

'

'

($293,000)

($269,000)

($283,000)

($283,000)

($283,000)

'

Provision for loss

-1,055,000

-1,690,000

-3,273,000

-4,374,000

'

-6,000

51,000

-14,000

-88,000

85,000

-8,000

96,000

'

-1,049,000

-1,836,000

-3,251,000

-4,370,000

'

2,000

10,000

14,000

'

'

'

'

Charge-offs

604,000

1,149,000

2,308,000

1,769,000

'

6,000

85,000

110,000

224,000

'

29,000

35,000

'

598,000

1,064,000

2,169,000

1,510,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recoveries

-22,000

-85,000

-150,000

-128,000

'

'

'

-103,000

-1,000

-85,000

-25,000

-125,000

'

-22,000

'

-22,000

'

'

-2,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at end of year

-9,457,000

-7,383,000

-9,457,000

-7,383,000

'

-55,000

-46,000

-55,000

-46,000

'

-4,000

'

-4,000

-9,115,000

-7,054,000

-9,115,000

-7,054,000

'

'

-283,000

-283,000

-283,000

-283,000

-283,000

'

Individually evaluated for impairment

-2,933,000

-2,141,000

-2,933,000

-2,141,000

'

-55,000

-46,000

-55,000

-46,000

'

-4,000

'

'

-2,874,000

-2,095,000

-2,874,000

-2,095,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collectively evaluated for impairment

-6,524,000

-5,242,000

-6,524,000

-5,242,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,241,000

-4,959,000

-6,241,000

-4,959,000

'

'

-283,000

-283,000

-283,000

'

'

'

Individually evaluated for impairment

88,103,000

88,288,000

88,103,000

88,288,000

'

26,915,000

26,042,000

26,915,000

26,042,000

59,732,000

57,842,000

59,732,000

'

3,346,000

2,514,000

3,346,000

2,514,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collectively evaluated for impairment

44,785,000

45,217,000

44,785,000

45,217,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,647,000

43,020,000

43,647,000

43,020,000

'

'

2,197,000

2,197,000

1,138,000

'

'

'

Finance receivables, net

132,888,000

133,505,000

132,888,000

133,505,000

132,992,000

26,915,000

26,042,000

26,915,000

26,042,000

59,732,000

57,842,000

59,732,000

'

46,993,000

45,534,000

46,993,000

45,534,000

'

'

2,197,000

2,197,000

1,138,000

'

'

'

Minimum term of financing receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

Impaired financing receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$12,200,000

'

$12,200,000

'

$11,500,000

'

'

'

$700,000

'

$800,000

'

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab8

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses (Details 4) (VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve for financing receivable	$9,457	$8,984	$8,342	$7,383	$6,757	$4,650
Pre-settlement advances	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	57,736	'	56,309	'	'	'
Reserve for financing receivable	9,115	8,642	8,011	7,054	6,282	4,194
Pre-settlement advances | 2009	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	3,415	'	4,578	'	'	'
Pre-settlement advances | 2010	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	4,450	'	5,740	'	'	'
Pre-settlement advances | 2011	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	7,669	'	10,915	'	'	'
Pre-settlement advances | 2012	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	12,244	'	17,527	'	'	'
Pre-settlement advances | 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	12,431	'	17,549	'	'	'
Pre-settlement advances | 2014	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	17,527	'	'	'	'	'
Attorney cost financing	'	'	'	'	'	'
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross financing receivable	1,421	'	2,069	'	'	'
Reserve for financing receivable	$283	$283	$283	$283	$293	$269

VIE_and_Other_Finance_Receivab9

VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net of Allowance for Losses (Details 5) (VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Portfolio delinquency status	'	'
30-59 Days Past Due	$34	$4
60-89 Days Past Due	8	1
Greater than 90 Days	318	80
Total Past Due	360	85
Current	84,456	85,063
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net	84,816	85,148
Structured settlements and annuities	'	'
Portfolio delinquency status	'	'
30-59 Days Past Due	33	4
60-89 Days Past Due	7	1
Greater than 90 Days	195	62
Total Past Due	235	67
Current	26,735	26,028
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net	26,970	26,095
Lottery winnings	'	'
Portfolio delinquency status	'	'
30-59 Days Past Due	1	'
60-89 Days Past Due	1	'
Greater than 90 Days	123	18
Total Past Due	125	18
Current	57,721	59,035
VIE and Other Finance Receivables, net	$57,846	$59,053

VIE_Borrowings_Under_Revolving2

VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

JGW-S III

JGW IV

JGW V

JGW VII

JGW VII

Peach One

Peach One

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

Variable funding note facility

Credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings

Revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings

Revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings

Revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings

Revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings

JGW-S III

JGW-S III

JGW IV

JGW IV

JGW V

JGW V

JGW V

JGW V

JGW V

JGW V

JGW V

JGW VII

JGW VII

Peach One

Peach One

Peach One

Peach One

Peach One

Peach One

Variable funding note facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Multi-tranche and lender credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

Credit facility

LIBOR

Tranche A

Tranche A

Tranche A

Tranche A

Tranche B

Tranche B

Class A rate

Class A rate

Class B rate

Class B rate

LIBOR

LIBOR

Commercial Paper rate

Commercial Paper rate

LIBOR

LIBOR

VIE Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facilities and Other Similar Borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total VIE borrowings under revolving credit facilities and other similar borrowings

$25,358,000

$41,274,000

$7,535,000

$6,000

$10,985,000

$6,963,000

$5,769,000

$18,389,000

$16,985,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

50,000,000

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

300,000,000

35,000,000

35,000,000

'

'

'

'

Interest payable monthly (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable interest rate payable monthly (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.75%

2.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'18 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Monthly unused fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

0.50%

'

0.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

0.50%

0.50%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

Interest rate floor (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.50%

4.50%

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.15%

3.17%

3.25%

3.29%

5.65%

5.67%

2.98%

2.95%

'

'

4.50%

4.50%

5.50%

5.50%

Margin added to variable interest rate basis (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.40%

'

3.42%

'

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

3.00%

5.50%

5.50%

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

1.00%

Interest expense related to borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,200,000

$2,300,000

$6,700,000

$6,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.08%

'

4.08%

'

4.81%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

VIE_LongTerm_Debt_Details

VIE Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

31-May-14

Aug. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Nov. 30, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Nov. 30, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

PLMT Permanent Facility

PLMT Permanent Facility

Residual Term Facility

Residual Term Facility

Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility

Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility

2012-A Facility

2012-A Facility

LCSS Facility (2010-C)

LCSS Facility (2010-C)

LCSS Facility (2010-D)

LCSS Facility (2010-D)

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

LCSS II

LCSS III

LCSS, LLC

PLMT Permanent Facility

Residual Term Facility

Residual Term Facility

Residual Term Facility

Residual Term Facility

Term debt maturing on September 15, 2019

Term debt maturing on September 15, 2018

Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility

Long-Term Pre-settlement Facility

2012-A Facility

2012-A Facility

LCSS Facility (2010-C)

LCSS Facility (2010-C)

LCSS Facility (2010-D)

LCSS Facility (2010-D)

LIBOR

LCSS, LLC

LCSS II

Minimum

Minimum

item

LCSS III

LCSS III

PLMT Permanent Facility

VIE long-term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

VIE long-term debt

$183,310,000

$150,802,000

$44,731,000

$47,267,000

$107,329,000

$68,785,000

$9,657,000

$12,435,000

$1,558,000

$2,276,000

$12,876,000

$12,880,000

$7,159,000

$7,159,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

110,000,000

70,000,000

14,000,000

56,000,000

'

'

45,100,000

'

'

'

'

12,900,000

'

7,200,000

'

Interest rate until September 15, 2014 (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate after September 15, 2014 (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual principal payments required

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

5,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Margin added to variable interest rate basis (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

9.25%

'

9.25%

10.00%

'

10.00%

'

'

Number of fixed rate notes issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment to purchase membership interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

VIE_Longterm_Debt_Issued_by_Se2

VIE Long-term Debt Issued by Securitization and Permanent Financing trusts, at Fair Market Value (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 18, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 20, 2013

Mar. 20, 2013

Mar. 20, 2013

Jul. 30, 2013

Jul. 30, 2013

Jul. 30, 2013

Feb. 18, 2014

Feb. 18, 2014

Feb. 18, 2014

Jul. 23, 2014

Jul. 23, 2014

Jul. 23, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

JGW-S LC II

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

VIE

2011-A

item

item

2013-1

2013-1

2013-1

2013-2

2013-2

2013-2

2014-1

2014-1

2014-1

2014-2

2014-2

2014-2

2002-A

Securitization trusts

Securitization trusts

Permanent financing VIEs

Permanent financing VIEs

Aaa

Baa2

Aaa

Baa2

Aaa

Baa2

Aaa

Baa2

Term loan payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of asset securitization transactions completed

'

'

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Bond proceeds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$216,500,000

'

'

$174,600,000

'

'

$233,900,000

'

'

$227,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Receivables securitized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,949,000

'

'

3,410,000

'

'

4,128,000

'

'

3,744,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deal discount rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.65%

'

'

4.49%

'

'

4.24%

'

'

3.95%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Retained interest %

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.75%

'

'

6.75%

'

'

6.00%

'

'

5.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Class allocation (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

85.25%

8.00%

'

85.25%

8.00%

'

85.25%

8.75%

'

84.00%

10.50%

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding Principal

'

'

'

'

3,577,735,000

'

3,320,434,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,323,495,000

3,063,520,000

254,240,000

256,914,000

Fair Value

3,836,856,000

3,836,856,000

3,431,283,000

'

3,836,856,000

'

3,431,283,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,576,195,000

3,177,404,000

260,661,000

253,879,000

Maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of long term debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

'

'

'

'

Gain on debt extinguishment

$270,000

$270,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

'

'

'

'

Term_Loan_Payable_Details

Term Loan Payable (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 06, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 06, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 08, 2013

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2014

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2014

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 08, 2013

Feb. 08, 2013

31-May-13

31-May-13

Mar. 31, 2013

Jul. 12, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Term Loan

Term Loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

New term loan

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Credit Facility

Letters of credit

Additional term loan issued May 2013

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

OAC Merger

OAC Merger

OAC Merger

Base rate

Base rate

LIBOR

LIBOR

Term Loan

Term Loan

PGHI

Eurodollar

Term loan payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loan amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$425,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$150,000,000

'

'

$176,500,000

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.75%

'

Margin on variable rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

6.50%

6.00%

7.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal payment at closing

'

'

'

'

123,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders' equity free of limitations on payment of dividends

240,700,000

173,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

0

1,400,000

'

8,100,000

13,200,000

'

'

23,900,000

29,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving commitment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amendment, legal and other fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,000,000

13,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate floor (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

2.50%

1.00%

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unused fee (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash distribution

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$150,000,000

$309,600,000

'

'

$16,300,000

Number of common interest shares issued for preferred interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	$487,984,000	'	$487,984,000	'	$549,622,000
Total gain (loss) on termination of derivative	-54,000	525,000	-628,000	351,000	'
Unrealized gain (loss)	'	'	62,000	40,408,000	'
Fair Market Value	-70,016,000	'	-70,016,000	'	-70,296,000
Interest Rate Swaps | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Terminated notional value	'	'	46,500,000	101,000,000	'
Total gain (loss) on termination of derivative	-100,000	500,000	-600,000	400,000	'
Unrealized gain (loss)	100,000	-700,000	-100,000	-200,000	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	251,700,000	'	251,700,000	'	'
Floating rate basis	'	'	'1 month LIBOR	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss)	3,200,000	2,600,000	3,600,000	19,100,000	'
Number of outstanding derivatives	8	'	8	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts | Hedge accounting has not been applied | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	4.50%	'	4.50%	'	'
Term of contract	'	'	'8 years	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts | Hedge accounting has not been applied | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	5.77%	'	5.77%	'	'
Term of contract	'	'	'21 years	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Borrowings under PSS and PLMT | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	236,300,000	'	236,300,000	'	'
Floating rate basis	'	'	'1 month LIBOR	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss)	1,300,000	2,300,000	-3,500,000	21,500,000	'
Number of outstanding derivatives	155	'	155	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Borrowings under PSS and PLMT | Hedge accounting has not been applied | Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	4.38%	'	4.38%	'	'
Term of contract	'	'	'1 month	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Borrowings under PSS and PLMT | Hedge accounting has not been applied | Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed interest rate (as a percent)	8.70%	'	8.70%	'	'
Term of contract	'	'	'20 years	'	'
321 Henderson I | Interest Rate Swaps | 2004-A A-1 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	34,332,000	'	34,332,000	'	40,734,000
Fair Market Value	-3,007,000	'	-3,007,000	'	-3,745,000
321 Henderson I | Interest Rate Swaps | 2005-1 A-1 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	62,704,000	'	62,704,000	'	73,269,000
Fair Market Value	-7,269,000	'	-7,269,000	'	-8,559,000
321 Henderson II | Interest Rate Swaps | 2006-1 A-1 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	16,830,000	'	16,830,000	'	20,976,000
Fair Market Value	-1,580,000	'	-1,580,000	'	-2,137,000
322 Henderson II | Interest Rate Swaps | 2006-2 A-1 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	20,858,000	'	20,858,000	'	23,620,000
Fair Market Value	-2,696,000	'	-2,696,000	'	-3,202,000
323 Henderson II | Interest Rate Swaps | 2006-3 A-1 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	22,443,000	'	22,443,000	'	25,902,000
Fair Market Value	-2,478,000	'	-2,478,000	'	-3,023,000
324 Henderson II | Interest Rate Swaps | 2006-4 A-1 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	21,265,000	'	21,265,000	'	23,842,000
Fair Market Value	-2,125,000	'	-2,125,000	'	-2,643,000
325 Henderson II | Interest Rate Swaps | 2007-1 A-2 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	34,585,000	'	34,585,000	'	39,364,000
Fair Market Value	-5,225,000	'	-5,225,000	'	-5,159,000
326 Henderson II | Interest Rate Swaps | 2007-2 A-3 | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	38,660,000	'	38,660,000	'	41,544,000
Fair Market Value	-8,294,000	'	-8,294,000	'	-8,015,000
JGW V, LLC | Interest Rate Swaps | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	'	'	'	'	10,985,000
Fair Market Value	'	'	'	'	16,000
PSS | Interest Rate Swaps | Hedge accounting has not been applied | VIE	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	182,406,000	'	182,406,000	'	192,444,000
Fair Market Value	-28,157,000	'	-28,157,000	'	-25,120,000
PLMT | Interest Rate Swaps | Hedge accounting has not been applied	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative financial instruments	'	'	'	'	'
Notional	53,901,000	'	53,901,000	'	56,942,000
Fair Market Value	($9,185,000)	'	($9,185,000)	'	($8,709,000)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Counterparty under agreement to purchase LCSS assets, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Arrangement	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Percentage of target IRR above original target IRR paid by counterparty	3.50%	'
Borrowing Agreement	'	'
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Amount owed by counterparty	$9.50	$9.10
Annual rate of interest for counterparty borrowing (as a percent)	5.35%	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
			The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC	The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC	Maximum
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	14.60%	19.00%	-8.70%	0.90%	1.90%
Effective income tax rate for parent (as a percent)	43.30%	44.80%	'	'	'

Restructure_Expense_Details

Restructure Expense (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Reconciliation of associated restructure liability	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$921
Restructuring expense	-141
Payments for restructuring charges	-709
Balance at the end of the period	$71

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Nov. 14, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

2-May-14

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

PGHI Corp

PGHI Corp

PGHI Corp

PGHI Corp

Preferred Stock

Common Stock- Class A

Common Stock- Class A

Common Stock- Class A

Class B Common Stock

Class B Common Stock

Class B Common Stock

Class C Common Stock

Class C Common Stock

Tranche C-1 profit interests

Tranche C-1 profit interests

Tranche C-2 profits interests

Tranche C-2 profits interests

item

item

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

Maximum

Maximum

Stockholders' Equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, authorized shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

500,000,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

'

500,000,000

500,000,000

Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.00

'

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

'

$0.00

$0.00

Preferred stock, authorized shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,347,143

'

11,220,358

10,680,530

14,001,583

'

0

0

Common stock, shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,255,194

'

11,216,429

10,680,530

13,984,065

'

0

0

Aggregate value of shares repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$15,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares repurchased under Stock Repurchase Program

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

88,020

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate purchase price of shares repurchased under Stock Repurchase Program

$917,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchase price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10.42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of votes per share of common stock held

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

10

'

'

'

'

Number of shares of Class A common stock whose market value is given as cash on optional exchange of common interests

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

Conversion ratio of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

Preferred stock, shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock, shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares entitled by warrants (in shares)

'

'

'

483,217

'

483,217

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercise price of warrants issued (in dollars per share)

'

'

$35.78

'

$63.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock exchanged (in shares)

'

3,123,517

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exchange of JGW LLC Common Interests into Class A common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,123,517

'

'

-3,123,517

'

3,123,517

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_Details_2

Stockholders' Equity (Details 2) (Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Realized gain (loss) on notes receivable, at fair value	$2,100	$1,900	$2,098	($1,862)

NonControlling_Interests_Detai

Non-Controlling Interests (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Non-Controlling Interests	'
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the exchange of JGW LLC units for shares of Class A common stock	$1,732,000
JGW LLC common interests repurchased related to Class A common stock repurchased	-917,000
Non-controlling Interests	'
Non-Controlling Interests	'
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the issuance of restricted common stock	-23,418,000
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the exchange of JGW LLC units for shares of Class A common stock	1,001,000
JGW LLC common interests repurchased related to Class A common stock repurchased	-778,000
The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC	'
Non-Controlling Interests	'
Balance at the beginning of period	29,561,117
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the issuance of restricted common stock	3,268
JGW LLC common interests repurchased related to Class A common stock repurchased	-88,020
Common interests forfeited	-180,018
Balance at the end of period	29,296,347
The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC | The J.G. Wentworth Company	'
Non-Controlling Interests	'
Balance at the beginning of period	11,216,429
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the issuance of restricted common stock	3,268
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the exchange of JGW LLC units for shares of Class A common stock	3,123,517
JGW LLC common interests repurchased related to Class A common stock repurchased	-88,020
Balance at the end of period	14,255,194
The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC | Non-controlling Interests	'
Non-Controlling Interests	'
Balance at the beginning of period	18,344,688
JGW LLC common interests acquired by JGWPT Holdings Inc. as a result of the exchange of JGW LLC units for shares of Class A common stock	-3,123,517
Common interests forfeited	-180,018
Balance at the end of period	$15,041,153

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 14, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings per share	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	1,265,500
Stock options | Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Earnings per share	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	1,265,500
PGHI Corp | Class C Profits Interests | Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Earnings per share	'	'
Number of shares entitled by warrants (in shares)	'	966,434
The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC | Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Earnings per share	'	'
Share exchange ratio	1	1
Common interest and vested restricted common interests	'	'
Earnings per share	'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	'	16,318,829
Unvested restricted common interests	'	'
Earnings per share	'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	'	707,028
Stock options | Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Earnings per share	'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	'	602,596

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_2

Earnings Per Share (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator:	'	'
Numerator for basic EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company	$4,092	$19,382
Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Numerator:	'	'
Numerator for basic EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company	4,092	19,382
Numerator for diluted EPS- Net income attributable to holders of The J.G. Wentworth Company	$4,092	$19,382
Denominator:	'	'
Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted average shares	13,095,194	12,438,143
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Restricted Common Stock and Performance Based Restricted Stock	3,801	2,184
Dilutive potential common shares (in shares)	3,801	2,184
Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted average shares	13,098,995	12,440,327
Basic income per share of Class A common stock (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$1.56
Diluted income per share of Class A common stock (in dollars per share)	$0.31	$1.56

Sharebased_Compensation_Detail

Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted	'	'
Weighted average fair value of grant (in dollars per share)	$4.81	'
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	1.91%	'
Expected volatility (as a percent)	41.60%	'
Expected life of options in years	'6 years 6 months	'
Shares	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	264,047	'
Granted (in shares)	1,265,500	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-151,971	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,377,576	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest (in shares)	1,316,041	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$14	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$10.90	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$11.31	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$11.45	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	$11.45	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'
Outstanding at the end of the period	'9 years 8 months 8 days	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest	'9 years 8 months 8 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'
Outstanding at the end of the period	$1,700,000	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest	1,600,000	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Total unrecognized compensation expense	6,600,000	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'4 years 8 months 12 days	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'4 years 8 months 12 days	'
Stock options	'	'
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	400,000	0
Performance-based restricted stock units	'	'
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	200,000	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'2 years 3 months 18 days	'
Awards granted, Converted, forfeited, and outstanding	'	'
Granted (in shares)	184,000	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-53,750	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	130,250	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest (in shares)	125,290	'
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$10.48	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$10.20	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$10.60	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	$10.60	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted	1,900,000	'
Share-based compensation expense expected to recognize	1,200,000	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'2 years 3 months 18 days	'
Awards vested (in shares)	0	'
Restricted stock	'	'
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	100,000	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'2 months 12 days	'
Awards granted, Converted, forfeited, and outstanding	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	3,929	'
Granted (in shares)	3,268	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	7,197	'
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$14	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$16.54	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$15.15	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted	100,000	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'2 months 12 days	'
Restricted Common Interests	'	'
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model for options granted	'	'
Share-based compensation expense	1,000,000	1,400,000
Additional disclosure	'	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'3 years 2 months 12 days	'
Awards granted, Converted, forfeited, and outstanding	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,661,054	'
Converted into shares of Class A common stock (in shares)	-397,058	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-180,052	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	1,083,944	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest (in shares)	1,082,700	'
Vested at the end of the period (in shares)	924,738	'
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.95	'
Converted into shares of Class A common stock (in dollars per share)	$4.75	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$3.21	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$5.32	'
Outstanding, vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share)	$5.31	'
Vested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$4.54	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Share-based compensation expense expected to recognize	1,400,000	'
Weighted average period for recognizing unrecognized compensation expense	'3 years 2 months 12 days	'
Aggregate weighted-average grant date fair value of awards granted	1,500,000	'
Minimum | Performance-based restricted stock units	'	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Number of shares into which award will vest	0	'
Maximum | Performance-based restricted stock units	'	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Number of shares into which award will vest	1.5	'
Maximum | Restricted stock	'	'
Additional disclosure	'	'
Share-based compensation expense expected to recognize	$100,000	'
Common Stock- Class A	'	'
Share-based compensation	'	'
Number of awards available for grant (in shares)	1,400,000	'
Common Stock- Class A | Stock options	'	'
Shares	'	'
Granted (in shares)	1,265,500	'

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 14, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Oct. 07, 2014

Oct. 07, 2014

Oct. 07, 2014

Jan. 02, 2015

Oct. 07, 2014

Jan. 02, 2015

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Merger Sub

Merger Sub

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

Class A Shares

Class A Shares

Class C Shares

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

The J.G. Wentworth Company, LLC

PGHI Corp

Merger Sub

Merger Sub

Merger Sub

Merger Sub

Class A Shares

Class B Common Stock

Future tax obligation

JLL Dist

JLL Dist

Merger Sub

Merger Sub

JGWPT Holding Inc.

JLL

JLL Dist

Subsequent events

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued pursuant to merger

'

'

'

'

1

1

'

'

'

'

715,916

'

Ownership interest (as a percent)

48.70%

37.90%

37.90%

'

'

'

'

'

9.20%

'

'

'

Present value of contingent liability assumed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4.40

'

'

'

'

Cash held

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.10

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of Class A common stock (in shares)

'

'

'

-88,020

'

'

'

'

'

715,916

47,440

715,916