The U.S. company at which I was a contractor has closed its doors and laid off all employees. I read in the news that all its assets were bought by another company.

All regular employees were paid up to the last day, but as a contractor, I was not. I'm still owed two paychecks. I was told that I would be getting a letter from the bankruptcy lawyers.

I read that after a Chapter 7 bankruptcy (which this sounds like), the creditors who have highest priority for being paid are "secured" creditors (whatever that means), and the second-highest are employees owed wages, commissions, and salaries.

1. Am I in the category of employees with second-highest priority? I submitted weekly invoices and was paid bi-weekly.
2. It's been just over two weeks since the job ended, and I haven't heard from the lawyers. Is there any way to know how long this process could take?

EDIT: I was an independent contractor; I didn't work through an agency. (Does anyone know if I'll have to pay taxes on money owed to me?)