Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Document and Entity Information

v2.4.1.9
Document and Entity Information (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Mar. 09, 2015
Jun. 30, 2014
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2014    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol LTS    
Entity Registrant Name LADENBURG THALMANN FINANCIAL SERVICES INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0001029730    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   185,334,449dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding  
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Public Float     $ 313,333,000dei_EntityPublicFloat