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Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |  |  |  | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Reconciliation Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 96,900 |  | $ 96,900 | $ 96,900
Increases related to prior year tax positions |  |  |  |  |  |
Decreases related to prior year tax positions |  |  |  |  | (96,900) |
Ending balance | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 96,900 |  |  | $ 96,900

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- Definition Amount of unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Unrecognized Tax Benefit -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6527854 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
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- Definition Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
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- Definition Amount of increase in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken in prior period tax returns. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
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