if i get married to a person who owes some outstanding bills can my check be garnished for the payments?

Probably not.  Usually pre-marital bills remain that of the person who incurred the debt; however, if you title anything jointly following your marriage, it is certainly possible that those things could be taken to pay off the debt.  You should consult an attorney in your area before you enter into a permanent relationship with someone who hasn't been able to pay their bills.