What it means
A holographic will is one written wholly in the will-maker's own handwriting. Unlike some overseas jurisdictions, Australian law does not give handwritten wills special status simply because they are handwritten, they must still satisfy the normal signing and witnessing requirements to be a valid formal will. A handwritten document that is unwitnessed may still be admitted as an informal will if a court is satisfied it reflects the deceased's intentions, but this is not guaranteed.
How it's used
Her handwritten, unwitnessed holographic will had to be assessed by the court as a possible informal will.