I have a small policy so my sister and nephew do not get stuck with my burial expenses. I do not want my creditors to find out about it and suck it up dry. Should the beneficiaries cash it immediately upon my death, or wait a certain amount of time for my creditors to write my debt off?

?? Your creditors can't ACCESS the life insurance procedes, unless you make YOUR ESTATE the beneficiary. Once that life policy pays your sister, it's HER money, and SHE is NOT responsible for your debts. She can tell the creditors to go pound sand.

The beneficiaries should put in the claim immediately, so they have the money to pay for your burial expenses.

to the best of my knowledge, life insurance proceeds are NOT subject to being taken for payment of debts, but it is best to check with the insurance agent and a financial specialist who can research the law in your state.