Trying to get a debt settlement

Possible! You have to cancel the contract signed with the company consolidating your debts. You must have already paid them their fees. Your money will go wasted if you don't complete the plan.

The new company with whom you will be signing for debt settlement program will also have a retainer's fee. So, you have to analyze the overall expenditure before changing the plan.

So I probably need to talk to a company first before I do anything. I know you have to have the cash first, to be ready to settle, but what kind of fee do these people usually get?

It varies with different companies. Most will ask you to put the payments of the first two months as the plan is fixed.